Water Main Infrastructure Improvements - Oak Lawn Regional Water System

August 2025

The project’s private contractor has completed portions of the work on the improvements and will soon be continuing with the next stages. 

Central Avenue from 159th Street to 163rd Street

Upcoming work includes the following:

• Installation and maintenance of erosion control measures

• Maintenance of traffic and temporary roadway items

• Installation of new watermain on Central Avenue between 159th Street and 163rd Street

• Connection of 42” diameter transmission main to existing booster station on Central Avenue at 163rd Street

• Complete street restoration on Central Avenue between 159th Street and 163rd Street

The contractor anticipates completing the watermain installation on 159th Street between Peggy Lane and Central Avenue by August 15 and anticipates the remaining work on 159th Street to be completed by August 29.

Traffic control has been established at the intersection of 159th Street and Central Avenue, which includes lane closures as well as traffic pattern shifts to accommodate the future watermain installation. This traffic control will remain intact until the watermain installation and restoration on Central Avenue is complete.

The contractor’s anticipated start date to begin the watermain installation on Central Avenue is September 1 with an anticipated completion date of October 10.

The contractor’s anticipated start date to begin the restoration on Central Avenue is October 13. This restoration will include but is not limited to: pavement restoration, landscaping restoration, and any other additional work required to restore the project site to its pre-construction condition. Additional details regarding scheduling dates will be provided prior to the work starting.

June 2025

Construction of the Village of Oak Lawn Regional Water System's new 36-inch water transmission line is continuing along 159^th Street, where they are east of Terrace Drive, in the eastbound lanes of 159^th Street. The contractor anticipates reaching Central Avenue by late July or early August.  Construction will then continue south on Central Avenue, where it will connect to an existing 60-inch transmission line near Ellen Court. 

The overall project is anticipated to be completed by the end of December.

Temporary traffic signals have been installed along 159^th Street at Oak Park Avenue, Ridgeland Avenue, Arroyo Drive, and Central Avenue.  Please be alert, as traffic patterns will change throughout the project.  However, there will continue to be one lane open in each direction on 159^th Street from late April through September.  

Drivers should consider seeking alternate routes during the construction.

April 28, 2025

Construction of the Village of Oak Lawn Regional Water System's new 36-inch water transmission line will move from Oak Park Avenue onto 159^th Street this week.  Construction of the new transmission line will take place on the north side of 159^th Street in the west bound lanes until late May when it will cross to the east bound lanes on the south side of 159^th Street.  The contractor anticipates reaching Central Avenue by late August or early September.  Construction will then continue south on Central Avenue where it will connect to an existing 60-inch transmission line near Ellen Court. 

The overall project is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.

Temporary traffic signals have been installed along 159^th Street at Oak Park Avenue, Ridgeland Avenue, Arroyo Drive, and Central Avenue.  Please be alert as traffic patterns will change throughout the project.  However, there will continue to be one lane open in each direction on 159^th Street from late April through September.  

Drivers should consider seeking alternate routes during the construction.

April 25, 2025

The contractor anticipates shutting down one lane in each direction of 159th Street in the next two weeks.  The lane closures will remain in place for approximately seven to eight weeks.  Further information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Drivers should expect delays during construction. We appreciate your patience.  

March 2025 

The Village of Oak Lawn Regional Water System is installing a 36" water main on Oak Park Avenue. After the 36” water main is installed, the contractor will replace the 8” clay sewer that runs parallel to the water main on the east side of Oak Park Avenue.  This work is anticipated to last a couple of weeks.  

The electrical subcontractor will be meeting with the Illinois Department of Transportation’s signal maintenance contractor regarding the installation of temporary signals on 159^th Street along the transmission main – starting at Harlem Avenue and heading east toward Central Avenue.  After the temporary signals are in place, the contractor will finish installing the remaining 36” water main on Oak Park Avenue and continue onto 159^th Street heading east.  

The contractor will be installing 36” water main on 159^th Street this spring/summer to Central Avenue, where they will then head south on Central Avenue.  The 36” water main will transition to a 42” water main on Central Avenue and then connect to Booster Station 2.

September 2024 

The Village of Oak Lawn Regional Water System will begin installation of a 36" water transmission main in Oak Forest the week of September 9. The water transmission main will be installed via the open cut method. Construction will begin near the intersection of 157th Place and Oak Park Avenue and heading west and north (see map below). The work is anticipated to last through the end of the year. 

151st Street - Oak Park Avenue to Central Avenue

Cicero Avenue Resurfacing

The Illinois Department of Transportation will begin repaving Cicero Avenue from 147^th to 157^th streets on Friday, June 27. The work will include spot curb repair and accessibility improvements at intersections. Please be prepared for periodic lane closures during the project, which is anticipated to last through September.  

2025 Road Program

The 2025 Road Program will begin soon.  Signage will be placed on the streets to be paved several days prior to the start of construction to notify residents. As part of the program, the following street segments will be resurfaced:

• Vine Street                         El Vista Ave to Sunset Ave
• Vine Street                         15044 Parkside Ave to Menard Ave
• El Vista Avenue                 147^th Street to 151^st Street
• 156^th Street                         Oak Park Avenue to New England Avenue
• New England Avenue     155^th Street to 156^th Street
• 155^th Place                          New England Ave to Sayer Ave
• Westview Drive                 Oak Park Ave to 154^th Place
• Church Lane                      Westview Drive to 154^th Place
• 154^th Place                          Church Lane to Westview Drive
• Arroyo Drive                       Victoria Drive to Rob Roy Drive
• Forestview Drive               Boca Rio Drive to Las Flores Lane
• Long Ave                             155^th Street to 157^th Street
• Latrobe Ave                        156^th Street to 157^th Street
• Laramie Court                    Off of Laramie Ave
• 157^th Street Parking Lot

Patching Only

• Diane Court                        Off of Laramie Ave
• Laramie Ave                       Intersection at Diane
• 156^th Street                         Laramie Ave to Claire Ave

Rehabilitation work includes pavement resurfacing, pavement patching, limited curb & gutter removal and replacement, removal of asphalt ramps and mountable curbs across driveway entrances (where necessary), partial driveway apron replacement to meet the grade of new curb lines (where necessary), and sidewalk replacement.  When curb and gutter is removed in front of your driveway, you will not be allowed to park in your driveway for 7 to 10 days.  This time is needed to give the new concrete sufficient time to "cure" to support the weight of vehicular traffic.  Curb and driveway apron replacements will be limited to one side of the street at a time to allow for on-street parking while the new concrete is curing.  Also we ask that if you have sprinklers or an invisible fence to please flag them. 

The city is only removing and replacing the portion of a driveway apron necessary to meet the grades of the newly depressed curb line (where necessary).  Per city code, the “apron” of a private driveway is the responsibility of the property owner.  M&J Asphalt Paving Co. will not perform any work on private property.  Any private work must be arranged by the property owner with the contractor(s) and is at the sole expense of the property owner.  Any private work arranged with the contractor(s) will require a building permit from the Building Department.  For more information, call 708-687-4050, ext. 1041.

PARKING

“No Parking – Police Order” signs will be posted by the contractor before work begins on that side of the street.  During work on the roadway pavement surfaces, no on-street parking will be allowed between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.   Please park on neighboring side streets or in your driveway.  The contractor will post “NO PARKING” signs and/or deliver a notice to your home at least 24 hours before roadway pavement surface work begins on your block.  Working hours for the contractor are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday thru Saturday.  

FIRE LANES

Streets with fire lanes will be maintained as fire lanes.  When necessary, the fire lane will be temporarily shifted to the other side of the street to accomplish the concrete curb repairs. Please be mindful of the posted fire lane signs by parking on the other side of the street.  

QUESTIONS?

With outdoor construction work, the schedule of the contractor is weather dependent and may change weekly or daily.  Questions?  contact Public Works at 708-535-4090 or submit a service request form. 

Forest Avenue Road Closure

May 2024

The contractor has completed the installation of the new sanitary sewer and has made the connection to the MWRD sewer.  Final tasks include installing a manhole, restoration work and patching on Forest Avenue.  Recent rain has delayed this work and the opening of the street.  

March 2024

Due to sanitary sewer work being done by a contractor for the logistics center at the southeast corner of 167th and Cicero Avenue, Forest Avenue will be closed between Forest Court and Kimberly Court starting the week of March 11.  The work is expected to take three weeks, depending on weather conditions. Detour signage will be posted to notify residents and help them navigate the closure. Thank you for your patience as this work is completed.

Water Main Upgrades

MAY 2024: The contractor’s landscaping subcontractor is working on the restoration of the parkways.  This might take up to two weeks, depending on the weather.  Recent rain has delayed some of the restoration work.  There are a few punch list items that the contractor will be taking care of as well.

JANUARY 5: MANDATORY BOIL ORDER: As part of the city’s water main replacement project, there is a mandatory boil order, until further notice, for all homes on David Lane and two homes (5917 and 5925) on Rob Roy.

NOVEMBER 17: This week, M&J continued installing water main, fire hydrants, and valve vaults along Rob Roy Drive and Warwick Drive. The crew tied new main into the existing mains at Colina Avenue and Chaucer Drive.  They also started excavating, grading, and framing to replace sidewalks and driveways along Hillside Avenue, El Morro Lane, Chaucer Drive, and Colina Avenue.  And, they pressure tested new main along Rob Roy Drive from Chaucer Drive to Gainsborough Place.

Plans for next week include continuing the installation work, sidewalk and driveway removal and replacement, and tying in the existing mains.  In addition, the contract will chlorinate the new main from Chaucer Drive to Gainsborough Place.

NOVEMBER 9: The water on EL MORRO COURT will be shut off so that the contractor can connect the new water main to the existing system. The water will be off most of the day. Oak Forest Water Department staff is knocking on doors and notifying residents in the area. After the connection is made, the existing main on El Morro Court will be flushed and tested. We appreciate your cooperation.

NOVEMBER 3: M&J finished installing 8” and 12” water main and started installing fire hydrants and vaults along Rob Roy Drive.  Also, the contractor continued installing water services along Colina Avenue. Next week, crews will continue installing fire hydrants and vaults along Rob Roy Drive, and install water services along School Street and Briar Lane.

OCTOBER 27:  M&J continued drilling and installing 8” and 12” water main along Rob Roy Drive.  With the help of an additional crew, M&J started installing water services along Hillside Avenue. Next week, once workers finish drilling and installing water main along Rob Roy Drive, they will begin installing fire hydrant and vaults on that street. The crews will continue water service installation along Hillside Avenue, El Morro Lane, Chaucer Drive, School Street, and Colina Avenue as well. 

OCTOBER 20: The contractor finished chlorinating and testing the water main along the inner loop.  The crew also drilled and installed 8” and 12” water main on Rob Roy Drive. Next week, the contractor will continue drilling and installing water main along Rob Roy Drive, and start water services on Hillside Avenue.    

OCTOBER 13: M&J finished installing the 12" water main on Briar Lane, which completed the inner loop.  The crew pressure tested, approved, and started the chlorination process of the installed water main.  They then proceeded to Rob Roy Drive to pothole for utilities.  Pipe View continued video recording sanitary sewers and locating services along Rob Roy Drive.  Next week, M&J will finish the chlorination process of the inner loop by flushing and sampling.  M&J, Jules Madison and Badger will be drilling and installing water main along Rob Roy Drive.  Pipe View will continue video recording sanitary sewers and locating services along Rob Roy Drive.

OCTOBER 5: The contractor finished installing the 12” water main on School Street and Briar Lane.  The crew patched the water main crossing on 151st Street and resurfaced and reopened the east entrance to Jack Hille Middle School.  They also started video recording sanitary sewers and locating services on Rob Roy.  Next, they will be pressure testing and chlorinating the water mains. The paving crew will be resurfacing driveways on 151st Street.  

SEPTEMBER 29: This week, the contractor finished installing 8” water main along Hillside Avenue and installed the 12” gated valves in front of Foster School on School Street. They also poured the driveway and sidewalks for Hille School's entrance on 151^st Street. Next week, the contractor will finish the 12” water main along School Street and proceed to Briar Lane to install 12” water main. The crew also will be pressure testing, paving entrances and patching on 151st Street.

SEPTEMBER 25: Last week, the contractor started installing 8” water main, fire hydrants and water valves along Hillside Avenue.  The crew also poured curb and gutter at the east school entrance on 151^st Street and driveways and sidewalks on Condado Drive. This week, the crew will finish installing water main along Hillside Avenue and start the tie in on School Street.  The concrete crew will pour the school’s driveway and sidewalks on 151st Street.  Temporary localized closures are possible as the installation work proceeds.

AUGUST 31: ROAD CLOSED - The intersection of Chaucer and Colina will be closed until approximately 4 p.m. due to the water main construction project.  

AUGUST 20: Contractors M&J and Jules Madison have completed directionally drilling and pulling 12” water main along School Street.  Work has started on Colina Avenue where they are directionally drilling and pulling 8” water main.  While drilling, M&J will continue installing fire hydrants along School Street and Colina Avenue as well as prepare for pressure testing the water main along 151st Street.

The City of Oak Forest is investing in its infrastructure by replacing approximately 8,500 linear feet of aging water mains and other related infrastructure, which will significantly reduce the risk of leaks or breaks and increase our residents’ quality of life.  Over the next several months, water mains will be replaced on:

• El Morro Lane from Hillside Avenue to Condado Drive
• 151st Street from Condado Drive to 600 feet east
• Hillside Avenue from School Street to El Morro Lane
• School Street from Briar Lane to Hillside Avenue 
• Briar Lane from Colina Avenue to School Street
• Colina Avenue from Chaucer Drive to Briar Lane 
• Chaucer Drive from Colina Avenue to Condado Drive
• Rob Roy Drive from Chaucer Drive to David Lane
• Central Avenue from Albert Drive to Independence Avenue
• Coulter Road from Le Claire Avenue to Laramie Avenue

The city received $3.7 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to cover the majority of the $4.2 million infrastructure improvement project.  

Residents who live in the areas impacted by the project will receive door hangers, ahead of any work in their area, with information regarding street closures and parking restrictions.  The work will include the replacement of existing 50-year-old, 6-inch, 8-inch and 12-inch cast iron and ductile iron water main with new PVC water main.  In addition, the project will include new fire hydrants, fittings and service connections. Once the new water mains are installed, pavement, parkways, and sidewalks will be restored.  

The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, however, this is weather depending.   Minor disruptions in service may be experienced during portions of the project and/or when connecting existing water services to the new water main.  We apologize for any inconveniences and appreciate your cooperation.   

If you have any questions, please contact Oak Forest Public Works at 708-535-4090.