The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago announced on May 1 that Phase II of its Salt Creek 3 Sewer Rehabilitation Project will begin next week, leading to daily traffic impacts along the entire length of Jackson Avenue through Brookfield over the coming months.
This project is significant because it addresses aging infrastructure serving several communities. The Villages of La Grange Park, Brookfield, and the Salt Creek Woods Nature Preserve all have local sewer systems that flow into large diameter pipes owned and maintained by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. These interceptor sewers carry regional wastewater to an MWRD treatment plant.
According to an inspection by MWRD, the Salt Creek 3 intercepting sewer has experienced sewage solids deposits, root intrusions, infiltration, offset joints, broken connections, and concrete erosion since its construction in 1913. Physical inspections also revealed cracks and holes in manholes along the route. Crews will rehabilitate both the main sewer line and associated manholes to restore their structural integrity.
Phase I work began in June 2025 with cleaning and televising operations and is expected to finish by month’s end. Inliner Solutions crews will soon start at Jackson Avenue and Cleveland Avenue using geopolymer material sprayed onto interior walls of intercepting sewers measuring between 36 and 60 inches wide. Residents may notice a styrene odor during application. Work will proceed from west to east through Brookfield with each manhole location—Kemman Avenue, Cleveland Avenue, Grand Boulevard, Madison Avenue, Maple Avenue, Park Avenue and Sunnyside Avenue—taking up to two weeks per site. Equipment onsite includes a trailer for mixing materials as well as a generator.
During work hours (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.), crews must block parts of sidewalks and eastbound lanes on Jackson Avenue for access at each manhole location. Phase III will involve further manhole rehabilitation with less intensive but still noticeable traffic effects during work hours.
Brookfield’s Village Hall at 8820 Brookfield Avenue serves as the main administrative hub where residents can access municipal offices or handle permits according to the official website. The village government provides civic administration including public works projects like this one according to the official website. It oversees services for those living within Brookfield’s boundaries according to the official website, coordinating among departments such as Public Works and Police according to the official website. Services include utility billing, code enforcement oversight for property maintenance issues or permitting needs according to the official website.
All rehabilitation work is expected be completed this summer.
