MWRD breaks ground to provide flood relief for Crestwood

Shovels hit the ground in Crestwood, IL as the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) begins work to protect residents and combat flooding.

The flood control project will improve stormwater drainage along 135th Street and the Crestwood Drainage Ditch and is expected to provide flood relief to more than 80 homes and other structures near 135th Street and Central Avenue. Watch the full event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgStRsNrwPs.

“I applaud Crestwood residents for making our water environment a priority and working together to improve the quality of life in Crestwood and along the Cal-Sag Channel,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Your determination, resilience and partnership has helped us advance this project that will protect Crestwood for decades to come.”

The $7.6 million project begins after eight years of planning, engineering, analysis and public input, including a resident questionnaire that attracted 113 participants. Work calls for: (1) installing new storm sewers and a junction structure along 135th Street from Central Avenue to the Crestwood Drainage Ditch; (2) improving conveyance along the Crestwood Drainage Ditch channel from 135th Street to Cal-Sag Road; (3) adding capacity to the existing pipe culverts under Cal-Sag Road; and (4) improving the detention basin and associated outlet on the Nathan Hale School property adjacent to the Crestwood Drainage Ditch, north of 135th Street.

In addition, the village of Crestwood has committed funding and other assistance toward construction and acquisition of temporary and permanent easements, and the upsizing of local storm sewers.

“The Village of Crestwood is very excited to enter into this project with the MWRD together to help end several flooding issues for hundreds of our residents,” said Crestwood Mayor Ken Klein. “Making the area safe and giving residents relief from worrying about flooding every year is important. Thanks to the MWRD and everyone involved in making this happen.”

The project protects approximately 82 homes, businesses and other buildings and provides surface flooding protection from the 100-year-rain event. The work also improves safety and aesthetics of an open junction chamber on Nathan Hale School property and allows for future capacity and flows between the Forest Preserve and Crestwood Drainage Ditch.

Crestwood residents will be notified of any potential impacts to road traffic patterns around 135th Street and at nearby entrances to schools, the Crestwood Recreational and Wellness Center and residences. Additional information can be found at mwrd.org/crestwood-flood-control-project.

“We are delighted to break out the shovels and start this project that will protect Crestwood residents for decades,” said MWRD Commissioner Mariyana Spyropoulos. “This investment has the potential to keep residents in their homes and improve the area around schools and neighborhoods. We thank the Village of Crestwood, Cook County School District 130 and our many partners for their collaboration in delivering this critical project to the people of Crestwood.”

“We are proud to make this investment to protect the Crestwood community and improve the grounds and homes for many Nathan Hale School students,” said MWRD Commissioner Chakena D. Perry. “We appreciate the public participation from residents to help us address stormwater management in the community and the opportunity to strengthen the economy by putting skilled engineers and contractors to work.”

(From L to R): Village of Crestwood Trustee Frank Caldario, Crestwood Trustee Anthony J. Benigno, MWRD President Kari K. Steele, Crestwood Mayor Kenneth Klein, Crestwood Trustee Patricia Theresa Flynn and Cook County School District 130 Board President William Werner share remarks at the official groundbreaking of the MWRD’s Crestwood Flood Control Project.