CIVIL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN FOR MUNICIPAL AND PUBLIC PROJECTS 

Following the EPA’s regulations for removing lead service lines (LSL), the Village of Fox Lake has begun its first phase of LSL replacements. The original water system within the area of this phase dates back to 1939, when the installation of lead water services was prevalent. The contractor will perform field verifications to determine existing service line material and the extent of the replacement.  All lead and galvanized water services encountered will be replaced from the water main to the meter within the house. It is anticipated that upwards of 150 water services will be replaced during this phase. This $1.5 million project was awarded to Five Star Energy Services. Construction has already begun and is expected to be completed in 2025. The project is being funded through the IEPA’s Public Water Supply loan program, in which the Village has received 100% principal forgiveness based on provisions associated with funding for lead service lines.

The City of Crystal Lake retained Trotter and Associates to design the rehabilitation of the City’s Lift Station #14. The existing lift station, constructed in 1974, is a dry well / wet well configuration and has started to deteriorate over time. The existing wet well will be rehabilitated, structurally lined, and have submersible pumps installed within it. Additional improvements include the construction of a new valve and meter vault, installing a backup generator, and replacing the control system.  The station is located one block from the lake and has a high groundwater table, which poses a unique challenge for the contractor to complete the work in dry conditions. Any dewatering required to lower the elevation of the groundwater table must be conducted in a manner that will not impact the lake or nearby residents. The construction of the lift station was awarded to Bolder Contractors, Inc., with construction on-site beginning October 15 th and completion slated by the end of 2024.

The City of North Chicago’s $8.9-million Water Main Improvement Project along 16 th Street and various side streets has been completed. This project included replacing over two miles of water main and 180 residential water services. Ninety-one services were extended to the residential water meter to replace existing lead or galvanized service lines. Additionally, all affected roadways within the work area were fully reconstructed or resurfaced.  The project, completed ahead of schedule and under budget, was funded through the IEPA low-interest loan project. The city qualified for a reduced interest rate for small communities and over a million dollars in principal forgiveness.

The second phase of improvements to Batavia’s Wastewater Treatment Facility was broken into two sub-phases: Phase 2A Rehabilitation and Phase 2B Expansion. IHC began construction for Phase 2A on September 18 th , 2023, and will continue through 2026. This project includes intensive offsite utility replacement and realignment, bike path realignment, demolition of several large structures within the Facility, replacement of the excess flow facilities, construction of new Headworks including screening, grit removal, and odor control, construction of a new primary clarifier diversion structure, four 68’-diameter primary clarifiers, and a Primary Clarifier Control Building, construction of three new duplex raw sewage pump stations, rehabilitation of the three final clarifiers, construction of a new UV disinfection building, and replacement of the WAS thickening systems.

The Village of Fox Lake engaged Trotter and Associates, Inc. to design and construct a new roadway for the Lakefront Park redevelopment initiative. Valued at approximately $1.4 million, this undertaking will serve as the primary means of access for the residents and businesses along Nippersink Road, adjacent to Lakefront Park. The project also includes new water main improvements installed to bring municipal water to the residents and businesses and updates to the stormwater utilities within the area. Construction began in June 2023, and the roadway opened to the public in November, achieving Substantial Completion. The project has reached Final Completion, with the overall cost being about $20,000 under budget.

Trotter and Associates is continuing to assist the City of Woodstock with the management of their Water Main Replacement Program. This $3.4 million project will provide a significant upgrade to a half mile of the Pleasant Street corridor. The existing 6-inch aging water main is being upgraded to an 8-inch, including replacing all lead water services from the main to the house. Additionally, to improve drainage of this area approximately 2,600 feet of storm sewer is being installed. Upon completion of the utility installation, the entire section of the roadway will be rehabilitated, with a mix of full reconstruction and traditional mill and overlay.

Trotter and Associates is continuing to assist the City of Woodstock with the management of their Enhanced Streets Program. The TAI team worked closely with City Staff to develop the scope of work for the 2024 improvements, which included reviewing pavement condition data, pavement cores, and considerations for the upcoming improvements to the Route 47 corridor. In 2024, over 6 miles of local residential, arterial, and light industrial streets will be improved. These improvements include both cement-stabilized reconstruction and the traditional mill and overlay. Additionally, various curb, sidewalk, and utility improvements are being completed. This project is on track to be finished in the fall of 2024.

Trotter and Associates, Inc. (TAI) welcomes Pam Davenport as a Senior Project Designer to the CAD Team. Pam will be based in TAI’s St. Charles office and will provide essential support to staff across all three TAI office locations. With over 25 years of experience in civil/transportation design, Pam is already a valuable addition to the team. Pam has been instrumental in developing company CAD standards and integrating client-specific standards throughout her career. As the TAI firm continues to grow, Pam’s contributions will ensure clients and contractors continue to receive, with confidence, clean, well-designed, high-quality plans. These detailed efficiencies will help maintain the integrity of TAI’s internal QA/QC review processes. Our team looks forward to her contributions to TAI projects throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Steve Cieslica, P.E., and Dustin Priebe, P.E. from Trotter and Associates, Inc., will be attending the APWA Wisconsin Chapter Fall Conference in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, from October 30 to November 1, 2024. This year’s conference includes a variety of technical and educational sessions, along with a tour of Sheboygan’s Water Plant. The APWA conferences allow our team and other public works professionals to exchange knowledge and experiences, highlighting best practices within the industry. Forums like this support TAI’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions for our clients while enhancing our capacity to address ongoing community growth and aging infrastructures. The Trotter Team looks forward to meeting you and discussing your community’s needs.

Elizabeth Heise from Trotter and Associates, Inc. (TAI) will present “Considerations in Selection of Phosphorus Removal Process” for WWTF’s Webinar IEPA #20420 on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 12:00 pm CST. This webinar will provide actionable recommendations on selecting preferred upgrades for a wastewater treatment facility facing a new effluent phosphorus limit. The presentation will: Consider existing facility infrastructure, including configuration, secondary treatment, solids treatment, disinfection, available capacity, operational requirements, cost, and available footprint on-site. Review the use of decision-making criteria, both monetary and nonmonetary, as part of the decision-making process. Discuss the selection process and examine a brief example case. The webinar will begin at noon and conclude by 1:00 pm CST. Earn up to 1 PDH or RTC hour. Click the button below to register with Illinois Section AWWA; attendees will be furnished (via email) with all materials and links needed to participate in the webinar. Questions? Call Kali Spain. ISAWWA Member Rate: $0.00 NON-ISAWWA Member Rate: $25.00 Contact: Kali Spain, kali@isawwa.org 866.521.3595 x3 Register Button LINK: Illinois Section American Water Works Association