6-12-17 - Officials mark start of Calumet Township drainage improvement project

Published June 12, 2017

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rep. Pete Visclosky (IN-1), Lake County Commissioner Michael Repay, Lake County Surveyor Bill Emerson, and other Lake County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of a drainage improvement project in Calumet Township.

The project will include constructing 4,400 feet of new storm sewers installed in an area that extends approximately from Chase Street to Marshall Place along and north of 41st Avenue. The new storm sewer system will alleviate the commonly occurring cases of residential flooding affecting this unincorporated neighborhood.

“This project is a great example of our state and federal partners working together to benefit this community and the nation,” said Col. Christopher Drew, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District.

The project is authorized under Section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 1992, as amended by Section 504 of WRDA 1996, Section 502 of WRDA 1999, and by Section 108 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001. Section 219, as amended, allows the Army Corps of Engineers to provide planning, design and construction assistance for carrying out water-related environmental infrastructure projects in select areas. The project under this authority are cost shared 75 percent federal and 25 percent nonfederal sponsor.

"Lake County is excited to begin the construction phase of this project,” Lake County Commissioner Michael Repay said. “I appreciate the participation of the Army Corps in helping bring much needed relief to the residents of this area of unincorporated Lake County."

The nonfederal sponsor, the Lake County Board of Commissioners, provided $242,000.

"I am so happy the Surveyor's Office could be a part of this infrastructure project that will help improve quality of life and property values in this area of Lake County," Lake County Surveyor Bill Emerson said.

A contract was awarded to the LGS Plumbing, Inc. of Crown Point, Ind., on September 30, 2016, for $866,328.15. Field construction started June 1, 2017, and it is projected to be completed in the fall of 2017.

“I would like to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake County Commissioner Mike Repay, Lake County Surveyor Bill Emerson, Jr., and all the members of their dedicated team who initiated this outstanding federal project,” Rep. Visclosky said. “Because of their commitment to improving the storm sewer drainage system in Calumet Township, the ability to care for and protect homes in this community will be vastly improved, and will further enable the residents to thrive and contribute to our growing regional economy.”
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Vanessa Villarreal

Release no. 17-006