Stillwater crossing work finally under way in Crown Point
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent September 30, 2012 5:58PM
Workers use a large crane to hoist a slab of concrete as they begin to repair the stream crossing on Stillwater Parkway on Thursday, September 27, 2012, in Crown Point. | Scott R. Brandush~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 2, 2012 6:09AM
CROWN POINT – Work is under way on the long-awaited replacement of the first of three removed crossings in the Stillwater subdivision.
Thirty-two semi-trailers brought in the custom made cement box culvert one piece at a time for reconstruction of the crossing at Greenview Place. Work on Stillwater Parkway is expected to begin in about three weeks when Greenview is finished and Crooked Creek Trail likely will be replaced in early 2013, said Crown Point Mayor David Uran.
“It’s very welcome to see construction,” Uran said.
The city has been embroiled in controversy and litigation over the three crossings throughout Uran’s administration. The crossings were put in without proper permitting by the developer before the subdivision was incorporated into the city.
The Department of Natural Resources found the original crossings were installed illegally and mandated the city remove them in February. City officials have been working since then to submit a plan for replacement that would meet DNR approval and not be objected to by residents. That plan was approved in August and includes replace the two culverts at Greenview Place, which were each 36 inches round, with two 5-by-12 foot box culverts; the two 30-inch round culverts at Stillwater Parkway with two 4-by-9 foot box culverts; and the two 36-inch round culverts at Crooked Creek Trail with two 3-by-12 foot box culverts.
Uran said the city was ready to hit the ground running once the plan was approved.
The first step was getting the cement components made, a process that takes about three weeks since they are custom made.
“These aren’t on a shelf,” Uran said.
Ever since the crossings were removed there has only been one way in and out of the subdivision, which has been an inconvenience for residents and a potential safety hazard. Uran said when he visited the site Monday most residents were happy to see their roads being restored.
“I’m happy to see it come to an end and get the roadways back to the neighborhood,” Uran said.
