The Oak Forest City Council this week approved storm sewer and sanitary sewer repairs for 23 sites in an effort to avoid the high cost of emergency repairs that comes with heavy rains and flooding.
Mike Feeley, superintendent of the Department of Public Works, predicted the residential work will cost no more than $200,000. Feeley said he will collect bids from plumbing contractors in the next few weeks, and repairs will begin this year.
Some of the more extensive storm sewer repairs include sites in the 16000 block of Grove Avenue, at 15432 Cicero Ave., at 154th and Lamon Avenue, and at 155th Street and Laramie Avenue.
Some of the extensive sanitary sewer repairs will be at 5420 W. 159th St. and in the 15000 block of Lockwood Avenue. The sewers are 30 to 50 years old.
The storm sewer repairs will be paid for from the city’s general fund, and the sanitary sewer repairs from a capital improvement bond.
“Why do we have so many sanitary and storm sewer breaks and maintenance?” asked the city controller, Colleen Julian, who proposed the funding sources. “We have an aging infrastructure, and I’m suggesting we take a long-term approach.”
