Article Summary: The Village of Beecher is restarting a major infrastructure project to replace the water main on Miller Street, approving a $23,000 contract with Baxter & Woodman to finalize designs. The project, which was put on hold in 2022, will be largely funded by a $500,000 grant from Will County’s ARPA funds.

Miller Street Water Main Replacement Key Points:

• The project involves replacing approximately 2,600 feet of water main along Miller Street, from Dixie Highway to Reed Street.

• A $500,000 county grant will be used to fund the construction, which is scheduled to take place between June and August of 2026.

• The project will be bid in phases, allowing the village to proceed with a smaller portion if total costs come in higher than expected.

BEECHER, IL – A significant water main replacement project on Miller Street is back on track after the Beecher Village Board on Monday approved a $23,000 proposal from engineering firm Baxter & Woodman to complete the final design services.

The project, which first began the design phase in early 2022, will replace about 2,600 linear feet of aging water main along Miller Street, from Dixie Highway to Reed Street in front of Beecher High School. The work also includes replacing 21 water services, fire hydrants, and valves.

Funding for the construction will be provided by a $500,000 grant the village received from Will County’s distribution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Village officials confirmed the project is budgeted and the grant money must be fully reported by the end of 2026.

According to village staff, the project will be bid out in two sections—from Dixie Highway to a nearby creek, and from the creek to Reed Street—as well as an option to complete the entire stretch at once. This will give the board flexibility to move forward with one or both phases depending on how the construction bids align with the budget.

The construction timeline is planned to minimize disruption to the school schedule. Bids will go out in January or February 2026, with work set to begin in June and reach substantial completion before school resumes in August.