Burr Oak Area Storm Sewer Project Groundbreaking Held In Lake Forest

LAKE FOREST, IL — Local elected officials gathered Wednesday for a ceremonial groundbreaking event to mark the start of the Burr Oak Area Storm Sewer Improvement Project, which will benefit more than 340 residential and commercial properties in the area, according to Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and Lake Forest city staff.

“While work officially started on the Burr Oak Area Storm Sewer Improvement Project last week, we’re excited to mark the beginning of this very important project,” Lake Forest Mayor George Pandaleon said. “This work will help reduce flooding for residents and businesses in the immediate area. It will also protect one of Lake Forest’s treasured legacies, our natural ravine system.”

The project is funded in part by federal American Recovery Plan Act coronavirus relief funding distributed through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. It includes storm sewer system upgrades and new underground storage facilities will offer additional flood protection for residents and businesses in the area, officials said.

Ten businesses along Western Avenue that currently have regular service interruptions due to flooding will benefit from the project. Once complete, the project will also provide significant relief to six roads, including Western Avenue, presently susceptible to street flooding.

“Bringing the Burr Oak project to reality has taken incredible teamwork and collaboration," said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart (D-Lake Bluff.) "I want to thank Stormwater Management, the City of Lake Forest, and our state legislators, who vigorously advocated for millions in stormwater funding for working together to reduce the disastrous effects of flooding on residents and businesses.”

Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker traveled to Waukegan to tout $30 million in funding for 14 local stormwater management projects. Locations for future projects include Antioch, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Highland Park, Libertyville, Park City, Shields Township, Warren Township, and Waukegan.

“The area is experiencing increased amounts of rainfall that can be attributed to the warming of the atmosphere and more extreme weather events," said Kurt Woolford, executive director of the county's stormwater management commission. "These improvements will have an immediate positive impact on businesses and the lives of residents who face continued challenges because of our region's persistent stormwater issues.”

Related: 'Once-In-A-Generation Opportunity': $30 Million Headed To Lake County Stormwater Projects