CIVIL ENGINEERING AND DESIGN FOR MUNICIPAL AND PUBLIC PROJECTS 

The Village of Algonquin recently awarded this project to Keno & Sons, which kicks off the project's next phase for Trotter and Associates. Over the next several months, the Trotter team will assist Village Staff with equipment and material submittal reviews and other construction administration duties. Work at these plants includes replacement of the existing aerators, two will be installed at each plant, and replacing their roofs with EPDM roofing systems. Based on equipment lead times, work is currently scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025.

Trotter and Associates assisted the Village of Glendale Heights in implementing the phosphorus removal upgrades at their wastewater treatment facility. The existing biological process utilized single stage nitrification which took place within the four aeration basins. As part of the project these basins have been converted to an A2O process. Baffle walls were installed to create separate anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic zones. Additionally, submersible mixers were installed and an internal recycle pump conveys nitrified MLSS to the anoxic zone for denitrification. Chemical polishing facilities were constructed to allow dosing of alum upstream of the secondary clarifiers or prior to solids dewatering. The improvements were completed in October 2024, and TAI is now assisting the Village with process monitoring and optimization.

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, Inc. welcomes Jeff Perkis, AIA, NCARB, as a Project Architect. Jeff will be based in the St. Charles office and will work with TAI’s Team on a number of new projects that require his expertise. Before joining TAI, Jeff spent several years at Dewberry as a Project Architect, where he was involved in all aspects of project design through construction administration. His skills include managing and directing the production of drawings, overseeing design decisions, producing renderings, and managing construction documents. We are thrilled to have him on board, as his extensive experience will significantly benefit our team and projects.

Trotter and Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce Mitchell Severson, P.E., has joined the firm as a Project Engineer. Mitchell, a 2018 University of Illinois graduate, holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a primary concentration in transportation and a secondary focus on construction management. He will be based out of the St. Charles, IL office. Before joining TAI, Mitchell worked as a Project Engineer at Thomas Engineering Group, LLC, where he developed 5-Year Roadway Programs for the Villages of Fox Lake and Indian Head Park.  Mitchell has made an immediate contribution to Trotter. Please join us as we officially welcome him to the team!

Trotter and Associates, Inc. recognizes and remembers all who have served or are actively serving our country. Thank you to veterans Gary Randle II and Jesse Graham, who are part of the TAI team, and to Veterans everywhere. We salute your courage, honor, and bravery today and always.