2020/08/10 - Mayor's Column: Future Construction Projects
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
Last week, we talked about the construction projects that we have completed this year. Now, it is time to talk about what is planned for the next year.
It is our responsibility to keep O’Fallon’s infrastructure in satisfactory condition so that we can continue to provide high quality services. Every year, we undertake several large projects. Here are some of the projects that we have planned for the near future.
Venita Drive Reconstruction: This project will reconstruct Venita Drive from Taylor Road to the Porter Road roundabout. The reconstruction will include the installation of storm sewer and curb and gutter along the entire roadway. In addition, a southbound left turn lane into the Sports Park will be added. This project is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2021 and should take approximately four months to complete.
Presidential Streets Phase 5 and West Presidential Streets Phase 1: This project will improve drainage, install new sanitary sewers, watermains and reconstruct the roadways in this older part of town. The area includes the 100 and 200 blocks East Jefferson and East Madison, North Vine between Adams and Jackson, North Penn between Adams and Madison, West Madison between Lincoln and Cedar, West Monroe, North Cherry between Madison and Jackson, 500 block of North Oak, and the 500 block of North Cedar. This project is expected to begin early 2021 and take approximately six months to complete.
Union Hill Road Watermain Replacement: This project will replace the watermain along Union Hill Road from Lincoln Trail to Longacre Drive in Fairview Heights. While this project is not inside O’Fallon City limits, the City of O’Fallon also serves water customers in Fairview Heights and this is a major line that brings water to O’Fallon. This project is paid with enterprise funds, which are monies derived completely from water bill payments.
South Trunk Main Replacement Phase 1: This project will replace the existing sanitary sewer trunk main beginning north of Quarry Road and extend north approximately 5,000 feet where it converges with the north trunk main. The existing sewer trunk main is concrete pipe and needs replacement.
These are major projects planned for next year. These four projects are expected to cost over $6.5 Million, but they are necessary to the long-term care of O’Fallon’s infrastructure.
We also have a few other large projects that may not cause any road closures, so many may not even notice they are happening. Those projects are construction of a lift station at Rieder Road, expansion of the O’Fallon Wastewater Treatment Plant, water tower maintenance, drainage work at Milburn Estates, and replacement of the sanitary sewer line at North Oak.
In addition to these large projects, the City performs many smaller projects throughout the year. Next summer, our annual pavement management project will repave and improve $1.5M worth of roadways within the City. The roadways are selected for improvement by utilizing a pavement management system that evaluates every road in the City to set priorities.
We will also talk about these mentioned projects at the City’s next Town Hall Meeting on August 19th, starting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. We ask that you sign up to attend the meeting in-person. The sign-up sheet is available at City Hall. The Town Hall will also be posted on Zoom.
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 (virtually, at least)!