Construction begins for $2 million water main project in Dixmoor
Dixmoor, Cook County and congressional officials gathered Monday to break ground for the construction of a water main project on the north end of the village that will improve water quality for residents, officials said.
The project will replace the existing 8-inch water main with 3,700 feet of 12-inch main from Seeley Avenue, headed south under the Interstate 57 overpass and east to 143rd Street, said village engineer Melanie Arnold. Five existing water mains will be capped within that area, Arnold said.
“The village of Dixmoor has experienced what many communities across the United States have experienced in the last few years: challenges with infrastructure and water,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “We know first hand that when infrastructure falters other quality of life concerns are at risk. Everyone has the right to access clean and safe water everyday.”
Mayor Fitzgerald Roberts said his “heart is very heavy” thinking about the start of construction and how far Dixmoor has come.
“This project is long over due,” Roberts said. “When you don’t have water, it’s a problem.”
In October 2021, Dixmoor’s residents were without water for two weeks following a water line break. When water pressure dropped Oct. 16 that year, Dixmoor initially pointed the finger at Harvey, which it buys Lake Michigan water from, and Harvey officials insisted the problem was in Dixmoor.
Ultimately, a leak in a water line in Dixmoor that was gushing hundreds of gallons of water a minute was identified as the culprit.
The village’s population was just under 3,000 people in 2020, according to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
In April 2022, officials announced the $2 million project funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Col. Matthew Broderick, acting commander of the Chicago District, said that 75% of the cost comes from federal funding and 25% comes from Cook County.
Broderick said the new water main will reduce water loss and increase water pressure, which will also help firefighters when battling a fire.
U.S. Rep Robin Kelly said the partnerships between local and federal agencies helped to ensure that construction began Monday.
“Reliable water access is the life blood of a community. When a water system breaks everything shuts down. Businesses, schools, public services can’t conduct critical operations and residents can’t go about their daily lives. Dixmoor understands these realities all too well,” Kelly said.
Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon said Dixmoor has experienced infrastructure issues and boil orders for too long.
“Everyone, regardless of their ZIP code, deserves healthy, safe and lead-free water,” Gordon said.
Resident Mable Chapman said it was a challenging time when the village didn’t have water two years ago, but officials did all they could to help. She said she was pleased construction started for a new water main.
“The water break we had two years ago was devastating and now something is happening to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Chapman said.
Construction is anticipated to last through March 2024 but water will be flowing through the new pipe by the end of this year, Arnold said.
This story was updated June 13 to correct the population of Dixmoor.
