2019/06/03 - Mayor's Column: Construction Time
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
It’s already been a busy construction year, but we are about to be even busier!
Many of our infrastructure projects are reliant on state or federal grant money. This means that we are able to complete projects without having to pay the entire bill. However, it also means that the timing and schedule of these projects are sometimes out of our control.
I want to take a moment to update everyone on a few large projects that we are either currently conducting or will soon be starting. This is not a comprehensive list; we perform smaller projects on a daily schedule, nor will I have the space in this weekly column to cover every detail. If you want to know any information about any of these projects, please contact our Public Works Department at 618-624-4500 Ext. 3.
You can always check our website (https://www.ofallon.org/public-works-department/pages/construction-updates) for construction updates.
Near any project, please be patient and cautious. Many improvements in various locations throughout O’Fallon are underway or about to begin. We apologize for any inconveniences but safety of both the general and public workers is our main concern. Closures are unfortunately inconvenient, but necessary to bring these projects to timely completion.
First, there are a couple of projects that began a few months ago and are nearing completion.
Southview Water Main Replacement Phase 1 - A water main rehabilitation project began in April. The main work on this project is done. But we still have some cleanup and restoration work to do.
State Street Water and Sewer Main Rehabilitation Project – This was a water and sewer main rehabilitation project along State Street from the roundabout at Obernuefemann to Douglas Avenue. This project is nearly complete.
Green Mount Road and Central Park Intersection Improvement Project – The project added additional turn lanes to this busy intersection. It also added safer pedestrian crossings. The weather has not cooperated well on this project. Only the striping remains to be completed.
The next project is getting ready to begin. We have a few more steps to approve the details and line up scheduling. Unfortunately, we don’t have a confirmed start or end date yet. When we know more, we will share the details.
Presidential Streets Phase Four - This project is located in an older area of O’Fallon commonly known as “The Presidential Streets” that was originally designed in the early 20th Century with open ditches for remediation of stormwater. Due to years of naturally occurring sediment and residents filling in these ditches, this has led to a history of drainage issues. The project has been designed to take place in phases, with this being the fourth phase, and will consist of installing storm sewer pipe and inlets to allow the flow of stormwater, regrading a ditch along both sides of the existing roadways, and reconstruction of the roadway with a concrete ribbon curb and new asphalt surface. In addition, the sanitary sewer main within the limits of the project will be replaced.
Finally, there are a number of projects that we currently have in the engineering process. These projects have not yet been put out to bid but may soon be. These include:
- Improvements of Simmons Road, from Milburn School Road to Porter Road.
- O’Fallon Wastewater Treatment Plan Phase Two Improvements.
- Rieder Road/Exit 21 Wastewater Expansion.
- Repaving Seven Hills Road.
In addition to all of these projects, our annual asphalt, concrete, and parking lot replacement projects have already begun.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open!