Flood Mitigation Project Community Meeting Scheduled

NORTHBROOK, IL — With a history of severe flooding in the area, three local government agencies are holding a meeting next week to discuss a multi-million dollar plan intended to drastically increase the size of a storm sewer system between Glenview and Des Plaines.

The Northfield Township Road District, along with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the Illinois Department of Transportation will host the community outreach evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Apollo Elementary School auditorium, 10100 Dee Road, Des Plaines.

Initiated several years ago, the Central Road Flood Mitigation Project has begun its implementation phase, which is intended to drastically increase the size of the storm sewer system from Glenwood Lane in Glenview along Central Road to the Des Plaines River by Oakton Community College, according to officials.

"The area has historically experienced severe flooding issues during heavy rainfalls. We're thrilled that due to the perseverance of our agencies, the mitigation project finally has a start date," said Tim Rueckert, Northfield Township Road District Highway commissioner.

The project is slated to begin in September, and will benefit several thousand residents that live along Central Road in Glenview," according to officals. The project will take several years to complete.

Officials said once the project is completed, the detention pond will be given to the Northfield Township Road District. The Road District plans to create a garden for pollinators such as monarch butterflies. The plan is for the garden to include native deep-rooted plants like milkweed, native prairie grasses, and wildflowers, allowing rain water to absorb into the ground, reducing flooding and runoff into the rivers and streams.

For more information, contact the Northfield Township Road District at 847-724-7055 or visit the Northfield Township Road District website.