Part of Wolf Road reopens to traffic
Flooding, icing forced its closure since Christmas
A section of Wolf Road between 143rd and 151st streets in Orland Park has reopened after being closed since Christmas Day due to flooding and icing issues, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The road reopened Tuesday after work was completed to temporarily address an ongoing water drainage issue, according to the department.
It is one of three roads in Orland Park under IDOT’s jurisdiction where factors such as low elevation and beaver dams have resulted in temporary closures due to flooding.
Along Wolf Road, a temporary fix included mowing existing drainage ditches, according to Maria Castaneda, an IDOT spokeswoman.
Over the next week or two, weather permitting, crews will attempt to remove accumulated sediment at the lowest point in an effort to improve drainage and reduce flooding, she said.
A more permanent solution will require extensive work along the drainage ditches and installation of an additional culvert under the road, she said.
Orland Park expects to complete initial engineering sometime this year on a project that would widen Wolf between 143rd and 167th streets and improve drainage.
It is also expected to complete this year initial engineering aimed at addressing another flooding issue along 143rd Street.
That projectwould ultimately widen and improve drainage between Will-Cook Road on the west and SouthwestHighway on the east. Final engineering is expected to get underway this year at a cost of $4 million, according to the village.
The low elevation at points of Wolf and 143rd, and beaver dams along Long Run Creek, which passes through the area, have been cited as contributing to flooding after storms, in addition to inadequate drainage culverts.
Another trouble spot is Southwest Highway, also known as Illinois Route 7, between 131st and 135th, which has been closed several times in recent years following storms. IDOT is working on the engineering of a project to widenthe roadin that area and address flooding.
The estimated cost for fixing Wolf, 143rd and Southwest Highway is over $120 million, according to the village.