Around the Southland: Officials tab $20 million for flood projects, I-80 lane closures, more
Officials from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and Cook County plan to work on stormwater issues at several south suburban trouble spots as part of ongoing efforts “aimed at bolstering resiliency across Cook County, with special emphasis on underserved communities,” according to a MWRD news release.
The $20 million effort announced last week is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and includes support for 26 projects, including nine in the Southland. The funding will support planning, engineering, and construction of stormwater projects at places including Burbank and Oak Lawn, Crestwood, Dixmoor, Dolton, Glenwood and Bloom Township, Harvey, Midlothian and Bremen Township, Orland Township and South Holland.
In one example cited by the MWRD Crestwood and Midlothian along with Bremen Township are getting $1.5 million to replace existing culverts, make channel improvements and expand existing and construct new detention facilities to address local flooding.
Work on this round of projects is expected to be completed in 2026, officials said.