Flossmoor Road viaduct drainage improvements project gains traction 

The Flossmoor Road Viaduct Drainage Improvements project’s early engineering and planning phases are steadily progressing. Village staff presented the preferred project alternative to the School District 161 Board and the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Board in partnership with Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers. Notably, both boards have approved the notion, clearing the path for forming intergovernmental agreements.

“We’ve been talking about this project for a long time, so it’s great to see it moving forward,” said Mayor Michelle Nelson. 

The proposed project, expected to start construction in Spring 2024, is gaining traction and calls for constructing a large-scale storm sewer system. This infrastructure will run south from the Flossmoor Road Viaduct along Sterling Avenue and Lawrence Crescent, eventually connecting to a detention basin behind Heather Hill Elementary School. 

Property acquisition, including a parcel owned by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District used for tennis courts adjacent to the school, is also part of the project’s scope. The village also needs to secure an easement on school property for the detention basin. The project’s current estimated budget is $7.8 million.

Progress has been made in securing $2.7 million in state and federal funding. Village staff continues to work for additional grant funding. The remaining funds for the project are expected to come from the Village of Flossmoor 2021 Streets and Storm Sewer Improvement Fund. The design engineering phase of the project is expected to be funded with a $200,000 grant from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the village’s Rebuild Illinois bond funds.

“Due to the complexity of awarded and pending grant applications, the project may be built as two or more projects, which would be determined by the requirements of certain grant agencies,” said Assistant Public Works Director Dan Milovanovic during his presentation to the board.

The design engineering agreement is an essential step in the project’s progression. Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers has proposed an engineering services agreement with a maximum cost of $597,148. At 7.7% of the estimated project cost, this engineering fee aligns with industry standards, according to Milovanovic.

The proposal from Baxter & Woodman includes services such as project management, public involvement, site assessment, surveys, utility coordination, geotechnical investigations and various design stages.