ALBANY PARK — Construction of the Albany Park Storm Water Tunnel, announced in 2013 in the wake of severe flooding along the banks of the North Branch of the Chicago River, is set to begin this summer now that the project is fully funded, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Tuesday.
"Finally we have the resources to move forward," the mayor said.
Designed by the Chicago Department of Transportation, the mile-long tunnel will burrow 150 feet below ground, running parallel to Foster Avenue between Eugene Field Park and the North Shore Channel on the south.
This "elegant" solution — deemed necessary after two "100-year" floods hit the area in the span of five years — will divert storm water whenever the Chicago River threatens to jump its banks, bypassing Albany Park and sending the excess water downstream, according to Rebekah Scheinfeld, CDOT commissioner.
Construction is expected to last approximately two years, Scheinfeld said.
The City of Chicago and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District are picking up $40 million of the tunnel's $45-$55 million price tag.
The project has been held up while the city sought to obtain the additional dollars needed to complete the tunnel.
Ald. Mike Quigley (D-5th) kicked in the remainder courtesy of a federal Community Development Block Grant.
"Climate change is a reality," and there's a need to address it not only globally and nationally but locally, Quigley said.
The "comprehensive and ambitious" tunnel plan, which will provide people protection against losing their possessions and, in some cases their homes, has been a "long time coming," said Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th).
The alderman added that her office is committed to holding community forums and meetings to share construction details with residents.
With completion of the tunnel not likely until at least 2017, how will the city cope with flooding until the pipe comes online?
"I think we're better coordinated with our response team," said Dan Burke, chief engineer with CDOT.
Equipment, including concrete jersey barriers, have been staged close to Eugene Field, and an emergency plan has been drafted to get relief services to the area faster, Burke said.
But no mistake, "there's a real need to get this project done," he said.
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