Cost Overruns On Western Springs Project

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The project to rebuild Central Avenue in Western Springs has encountered obstacles, with the price tag expected to rise by hundreds of thousands.

The contractor, Wauconda-based Berger Excavating, has reported conflicts with the proposed storm sewer and existing utilities.

The extra costs amount to $597,000, a 13 percent increase in the project. The contract was originally valued at $4.6 million.

The village plans to incorporate $250,000 of the extra work into another project.

As for the remaining $347,000, the village said the federal government may cover 80 percent of those costs. But there is no guarantee.

The Village Board is set to vote on the $347,000 in change orders at its meeting Monday.

Village staffers said the added work needed to be approved to keep the project on track.