Illinois officials celebrates a new $18.3 million pump station and other safety upgrades at Deerpath Road and Skokie Highway in Lake Forest, addressing longtime flooding issues and enhancing infrastructure resiliency, according to a press release from Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.
The project involved building a new pump station with greater capacity at the southwest corner of Deerpath Road and Ahwahnee Lane, constructing two detention ponds and adding storm sewers.
The new pump station consists of multiple pumps and a backup with a generator system that can be used in case of power failure or servicing needs. Upon completion, ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the entire facility were transferred from IDOT to Lake Forest.
Prior to the project, the viaduct at U.S. 41 and Deerpath Road was frequently closed to traffic due to flooding and an outdated, overwhelmed pump station.
"This project is critical to flood control in Lake Forest and has been planned for many years," said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "Now that it has been completed, our community will enjoy the benefits for generations. It has been rewarding to see such excellent cooperation between the state and the local levels of government to achieve this infrastructure improvement."
In addition to the drainage improvements, Deerpath Road between Skokie Highway and Golf Lane was resurfaced and widened, with dedicated right- and left-turn lanes at Skokie Highway. Throughout the project limits, new sidewalks with ADA-compliant ramps were installed.
