Chicago City Wire

Dixmoor, IL - In case you missed it, Congresswoman Kelly was joined by Congressman Jonathan Jackson, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Village of Dixmoor to break ground on a new water main project. Largely supported by federal funds secured, in-part by Rep. Kelly, Dixmoor’s new water main would preserve and protect the village’s critical water supply.

Dixmoor’s water main infrastructure project is planned to build a 3,700 ft 12-inch water main, which would stretch from Seeley Avenue, cross south under the I-57 overpass, and east onto 13th St. in Dixmoor. The project would also cap five other water mains in the area to help prevent future water main breaks.

Congresswoman Kelly celebrated the over $2M she helped secure for the project, which included funds from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the most significant commitment to public infrastructure the United States has made in decades.

“These investments are the very foundation of how we work, learn, and go about our daily lives,” said Rep. Kelly. “I have been fighting in Congress for the infrastructure needs of Dixmoor and all communities across Illinois’ Second Congressional District – and I’m committed to continuing this critical work.”

READ MORE:

Construction begins for $2 million water main project in Dixmoor - Chicago Tribune 

In April 2022, officials announced the $2 million project funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Col. Matthew Broderick, acting commander of the Chicago District, said that 75% of the cost comes from federal funding and 25% comes from Cook County.

Broderick said the new water main will reduce water loss and increase water pressure, which will also help firefighters when battling a fire.

U.S. Rep Robin Kelly said the partnerships between local and federal agencies helped to ensure that construction began Monday.

“Reliable water access is the life blood of a community. When a water system breaks everything shuts down. Businesses, schools, public services can’t conduct critical operations and residents can’t go about their daily lives. Dixmoor understands these realities all too well,” Kelly said.

Dixmoor breaks ground on water main improvement project - NBC 5 Chicago  

Reps. Robin Kelly and Johnathan Jackson were both instrumental in acquiring federal funding for the project.

“I am proud that the legislation I fought so hard for in Congress is yielding real results for the residents of Illinois’ second Congressional district,” Kelly said in a statement.

Dixmoor has been plagued with a series of water issues in recent years, including in July 2022 when the village was forced to shut off service because of water main breaks.

Original source can be found here.