ICYMI: Galena Avenue water main work begins today in Dixon

DIXON – The public is encouraged to take alternate routes and avoid Galena Avenue in the downtown when feasible during a construction project to replace the water main along South Galena Avenue between Second and Fourth streets.

The project begins today.

Access to businesses from Galena Avenue will be limited during construction. The public should utilize rear or side access locations to businesses along the route.

Both of the northbound lanes will be closed along Galena Avenue beginning at Sixth Street and extending north to First Street.

Galena Avenue will remain open to both northbound and southbound traffic with lanes being shifted to move all traffic to the existing southbound lanes.

Access onto Galena Avenue from East Third Street and East Fourth Street will be closed during construction.

Second Street will remain open at times, but turning movements will not be allowed. A truck detour route will be posted along East River Road for all semi-truck traffic for the entire construction period. At times, sidewalks will be closed to pedestrians as work is completed.

Replacing the main has been a goal for more than 5 years when there was a major break in the line, and emergency repairs tied up the city’s busiest thoroughfare in July 2016.

In May, the City Council approved a contract of around $1 million for Martin & Company Excavating to do the work.

The project will be funded by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s revolving loan program, and the city signed off on a $1.14 million loan last month. The loan program offers low interest rates and loan forgiveness. The city is expected to have $400,000 in loan forgiveness for this project.

The project will consist of replacing the main and doing some directional boring at the intersection of First Street and South Galena Avenue, as well as at Second Street.

Work should be completed within 6 weeks.

Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers joined Sauk Valley Media in 2016 covering local government in Dixon and Lee County.