Politics & Government
Central Avenue Construction Will Require Traffic Detour
Patch interviewed Wilmette's Director of Engineering, Brigitte Mayerhofer, on how summer construction will affect traffic.
The Village of Wilmette last Friday. Patch spoke with the village's Director of Engineering Brigitte Mayerhofer to further understand the sewage repairs, as well as the impact certain road repairs will have on traffic.
So far heavy rain from earlier this week delayed a project near 5th Street and Isabella Avenue that was set to start May 25. The projects are set to wrap-up mid-August. Meanwhile, police are working on construction traffic plans for July 4, according to Mayerhofer.
Patch: What are a lot of the road and sewer repairs geared towards?
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Brigitte Mayerhofer: Sewers in general are a priority for the Village; we have an aggressive sewer repair program. “Sewer repairs” can be described as the following three programs: 1) Replacing cracked and broken pipe, 2) Lining the interior of sewer pipes to restore structural integrity and reduce infiltration and 3) Building relief sewers to increase the capacity of the combined sewer system.
Patch: Is this a typical number of projects for this time of year, or have they increased over the years?
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Mayerhofer: Aside from sewer lining, the number of projects fluctuates from year to year depending on need and budget. Sewer lining has been a constant program the last several years because we eventually hope to line the entire sewer system.
Patch: Have stormwater issues gotten better or worse over the years?
Mayerhofer: The large storm events from August 2007 and September 2008 have placed a greater emphasis on the performance of our sewer system.
Patch: How will some of the upcoming projects affect traffic?
Mayerhofer: The 5th Street work will begin May 27. The road will be closed to through traffic during construction. Local traffic, emergency vehicles and buses will continue to have access. The June 13 work on Central Avenue between 11th and 9th Streets will require a local traffic detour. For approximately eight to 10 weeks, Central Avenue traffic will be detoured to Lake Avenue.
Patch: What are some key changes you want Wilmette residents to know?
Mayerhofer: We communicate construction-related issues to residents via hand-delivered notices as necessary.
