Illinois Town Approves Southwest Elmhurst Stormwater Mitigation Project

The city of Elmhurst, Ill., has approved contracts and funding for the Southwest Elmhurst Stormwater Mitigation Project. The two-part project will include a detention basin near the Messiah Lutheran Church capable of providing up to 18 acre-ft of storm water detention, and an additional 11 acre-ft detention basin near the Jackson Elementary School.

Following record rains for the Chicago suburb this May, the Elmhurst city council unanimously approved a $6 million contract with Swallow Construction Corp. of Downers Grove, Ill. for the first phase of the project, as reported by The Chicago Tribune. The council also approved $1.6 million for the second phase of the storm water detention project. 

According to Public Works Director Howard Killian, both phases of the project are expected to be operational by the end of the year. With 2.5 in. of rain pouring down on the area during the May 30 storm, the town experienced minor short-term flooding during the spring rains. Completion of the two projects will bring the total city spending on 11 flood control projects to $25.6 million, according to the Tribune, and will have provided a total of 113 acre-ft of temporary storm water detention.