U.S. Army Corps Awards $35 Million for Tunnel and Reservoir Plan

In a time marked by sequestration and competitive pursuit of federal dollars, the leadership of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Illinois congressional delegation have received a $35 million commitment from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue funding the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP).

The MWRD conceived TARP in the early 1970s as the means to control combined sewer overflows and to protect water quality in the Chicagoland area. TARP is being constructed in two phases. Phase 1, which was designed primarily for pollution control, consists of 109.4 miles of deep tunnels that were completed in 2006. The tunnels have been in operation since 1985 and contain 2.3 billion gal of combined sewage during storms, keeping the polluted water out of the waterways and basements.

Phase 2, which was primarily designed for flood control, consists of the three reservoirs, two of which are under construction and will benefit from the new federal funding. The Thornton Composite Reservoir, located along Interstate 80, is scheduled for completion in 2015 and will have the ability to capture an additional 7.9 billion gallons of combined sewage and storm water. The Thornton Reservoir will provide $40 million per year in flood control benefits to 556,000 people living in 14 communities throughout the south side of Chicago and south suburbs of Cook County.

The major project that will benefit from federal funding is the McCook Reservoir located along Interstate 55. Stage 1 is scheduled for completion in 2017, when it will be able to contain an additional 3.5 billion gallons of combined sewage. When fully functional in 2029, it will be able to capture and store 10 billion gallons. It will provide $90 million per year in flood control benefits to 3.1 million people living in 37 communities.

The Majewski Reservoir was completed in 1998 and provides an additional 350 million gal of storage. Since it was completed, the Majewski Reservoir has provided over $250 million in flood damage reduction benefits to Arlington Heights, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect. 

Source: MWRD