Monee Board Approves $1.7 Million Payment for Critical Water Main Redundancy

Village of Monee Board Meeting | August 13, 2025

Article Summary: The Monee Village Board authorized a substantial payment of over $1.7 million to Iroquois Paving for the Ridgeland and Bruns Road water main improvements, a project designed to provide a redundant water feed under I-57. Officials emphasized the project’s importance for fire protection and business security on the village’s west side.

Monee Water Infrastructure Key Points:

• Major Payment: The board approved a payout of $1,763,797.50 to Iroquois Paving for the Ridgeland and Bruns Road project.

• Grant Funding: Administrator Ruben Bautista noted the village received a $500,000 federal grant to help offset the costs.

• Safety Upgrades: The new loop provides a secondary water source for the west side of the village, enhancing fire protection capabilities.

The Monee Village Board on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, approved a series of significant infrastructure payments, headlined by a $1.76 million disbursement for a water main project intended to secure the village’s water supply and fire safety.

Trustees voted unanimously to approve Pay Request #1 from Iroquois Paving in the amount of $1,763,797.50 for the Ridgeland and Bruns Road Water Main Improvements. According to Village Administrator Ruben Bautista, the total earned to date on the project is approximately $1.96 million, with the village holding back a 10 percent retention.

Bautista and trustees highlighted the strategic importance of the project, which creates a water loop providing redundancy under I-57. Previously, the west side of the village relied on a single feed.

“This project is going to give comfortability to those businesses that are looking to move… to the west side of the town,” Trustee Michael Wilson said. “It’s not a good time when things go bad… so having that capability or option of switching over so that way we can continue water supply services [is vital].”

Trustee Scott Youdris noted the public safety benefits, explaining that the increased water supply reliability could help improve the village’s ISO rating, potentially lowering insurance costs for residents and businesses due to better fire protection.

Public Works Trustee Doug Horne reported that the new main was pressurized on August 7 and that quality control testing is complete.

“This loop provides redundant water feed under I-57, as well as providing better flow characteristics and enhanced fire protection,” Horne said.

In addition to the Ridgeland project, the board approved final payouts to Iroquois Paving for two other completed projects: $57,397.80 for the Main Street Water Main Replacement and $606,404.53 for the 2023-2024 Roadway Maintenance Program.