Hinsdale officials have secured more than $1 million in grant funds as planning continues for a Sixth Street Reconstruction and Utility Project that is expected to cost $6.5 million.
The work will cover Sixth Street between Garfield Street and County Line Road and will separate the combined sewer system in accordance with the village’s Stormwater Master Plan. Village President Greg Hart said the work should improve drainage and reduce localized flooding.
“It will also replace the more than 80-year-old water main and sanitary sewer infrastructure and fully reconstruct the roadway pavement,” he said, adding that the project addresses infrastructure that is “well beyond its useful life.”
Hart said the village secured a $1.092 million federal Community Project Funding grant, with the help of Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, to help offset costs related to the underground utility portion of the project.
“That funding supports separation of the combined sewer system, installation of new storm sewers, and replacement and upgrading of aging water main and sanitary sewer infrastructure, in accordance with our Stormwater Master Plan,” he said.
The section of Sixth Street to be improved currently is constructed in brick. Whether that remains when the project is completed remains to be determined.
“We are working with residents on Sixth Street to determine project details, including the materials that will ultimately be used,” Hart said. “More information will be shared once we have final grant requirements and have completed further dialogue with Sixth Street residents.”
The project is anticipated to be bid in fall 2026, with construction taking place in 2027, with the timing being dependent on the distribution of federal grant funds,
“The last major utility work on this corridor dates back more than 80 years,” Hart said. “While routine maintenance has been performed over time to maintain drivability, there has not been a full reconstruction of this magnitude in modern history. Portions of the street surface date back as far as 1891.”
Hart said the village will work to maintain access for local traffic and driveways as much as possible, while work is being done.
“However, given the scale of the project, temporary street closures and construction staging impacts should be expected during active construction,” he said. “Specific traffic control plans will be finalized closer to the start of work.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
