Lake County Gazette

The Lake Forest City Council has given the green light for a second-year renewal of a contract with Hoerr Construction for the 2024 Sewer Lining program. The approval comes with a stipulation that the cost should not exceed $275,000, which will be the city's share of the project.

According to data presented at the Lake Forest City Council's meeting on March 18, Lake Forest is responsible for maintaining 140 miles of mainline sanitary sewers and 219 miles of storm sewer within its limits. The sewers were predominantly constructed using clay material, which is known to be more susceptible to deterioration from natural elements and root intrusions. This susceptibility often results in broken pipes and leaking joints, compromising flow within these deteriorated pipes.

The council's agenda also revealed that the reconstruction technique being employed does not necessitate an expensive and disruptive excavation process. Instead, a special liner is inserted inside the pipe, effectively creating a new smooth-surfaced, long-lasting pipe within the old sewer.

According to further details from the council's March 18 meeting, work on this project is expected to commence in late summer or early fall and should take a few weeks to complete. Once a start date has been confirmed, residents living within the project limits will receive a letter providing them with two weeks' notice. Updates regarding progress will be made available on the city's website under "Construction Updates."

The Lake Forest City Council's agenda also disclosed that this project was bid in partnership with Highland Park and Mundelein under the Municipal Partnering Initiative (MPI), with Lake Forest acting as the lead agency. The original agreement was awarded at the June 6, 2022 City Council meeting and allowed for up to three additional consecutive one-year renewals of the contract.