Progress Overview

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September 30, 2026September 2026 Progress

In September, Michels assisted our subcontractor, Pullman, with completing the final manhole structure at the intersection of Old Willow Road and Wolf Road. This was the last major step in the project. Traffic control was removed shortly after the end of this work. With this work completed, Michels was able to shut off the temporary bypass and begin the process of removing it.

 

October 2026 Projections

In October, Michels will focus on restoring all affected areas of the jobsite, continuing the removal of the bypass, and addressing punch list items identified by the District.

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August 27, 2026August 2026 Progress

In August, Michels completed its portion of the reconstruction of the final manhole structure and handed the structure over to our subcontractor, Pullman. Pullman will complete the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) installation through the end of August and into September.

 

September 2026 Projections

In September, restoration efforts will continue throughout the month. The road closure and detour for westbound traffic along Old Willow Road, between the intersections of Mandel Lane and Wolf Road, will remain in place until work for this phase of the project is completed.

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August 5, 2026July 2026 Progress

In July, Michels began reconstruction of the final manhole structure included in Phase 2 in partnership with our subcontractor, Airys. In addition, restoration activities commenced in areas affected by construction operations, including the repair and restoration of project sites impacted during rehabilitation work, returning them to their pre-construction condition where applicable.

 

August 2026 Projections

In August, Michels will support our subcontractor, Pullman, with the installation of CFRP in the final manhole structure on the project. Restoration efforts will also continue throughout the month. The road closure and detour for westbound traffic along Old Willow Road, between the intersections of Mandel Lane and Wolf Road, will remain until the work is completed for this phase of the project.

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Wheeling 7-2026_2

July 1, 2026June 2026 Progress

In June, Michels worked on remaining punch list items. One manhole structure remains at the intersection of South Wolf Road and Old Willow Road. Work will commence on July 6, closing the westbound Old Willow Road at the intersection. A detour down Mendel Lane will be active.

All work within the Chicago Executive Airport property has been successfully completed. Our subcontractor, Pullman, also completed the installation of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) lining in all manhole structures, with the exception of the structure noted above.

 

July 2026 Projections

In July, Michels will begin reconstruction of the final manhole structure included in Phase 2 in partnership with our subcontractor, Airys. In addition, restoration activities will commence in areas affected by construction operations, including the repair and restoration of project sites impacted during rehabilitation work, returning them to their pre-construction condition where applicable.

Rehab in Airport
Manhole Rehab at STA 58+76

June 2, 2026May 2026 Progress

During May, Michels continued supporting our subcontractor, Pullman, with the installation of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in the remaining manhole structures.

Restoration activities also commenced throughout the airport project area. In parallel, the project team focused on addressing remaining punch-list items as the project enters the final months.

 

June 2026 Projections

Our efforts will remain focused on completing restoration work, resolving outstanding punch-list items, and finalizing all remaining contract requirements.

Set up at STA 71+36
Work at STA 71+36

May 5, 2026April 2026 Progress

In April, Michels coordinated with the subcontractor Pullman to complete the final scope of work at Chicago Executive Airport.

The rehabilitation utilizes a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) wrap system installed on interior manhole walls, providing a durable structural solution with an anticipated service life exceeding 50 years.

 

May 2026 Projections

Work at the airport is now in its final stages, with efforts focused on completing the remaining manhole structures and coordinating the subcontractor Airys to execute the associated restoration plan.

Leak Mitigation at STA 116+59 copy
Pullman working at STA 74+89 copy-1

April 9, 2026March 2026 Progress

In March, Michels provided top attendants for the subcontractor Pullman to allow them to access the manhole structures and rehabilitate them using a carbon fiber wrap.

Michels also continued to collaborate with the District and the Chicago Executive Airport to schedule the scope of work that will be completed at the airport.

 

April 2026 Projections

Michels has started working at the Chicago Executive Airport, focusing on mitigating leaks and installing CIPP liners in the drop pipes to allow Pullman to come in afterward and install the carbon fiber wrap. The work inside the airport is the top priority in the month of April due to the limited time that the Chicago Executive Airport has granted for the work to be completed.

Vac Truck Set Up At 116+59

February 28, 2026February 2026 Progress

In February, Michels completed the majority of the project's scope by successfully rehabilitating more than 11,000 linear feet of mainline sewer. The team also coordinated closely with the airport to plan the completion of remaining manhole work located within the airport property. Additionally, Michels’ subcontractor, Airys, completed a survey of one of the manhole structures that requires extensive rehabilitation.

 

March 2026 Projections

During March and April, Michels will assist their subcontractor, Pullman, with ongoing rehabilitation efforts. Pullman is responsible for rehabilitating the manholes using a carbon fiber wrap system to strengthen and extend the life of the structures. In April, Michels and Pullman will have access to the airport to complete this portion of the work. Michels will also begin developing the site restoration plan, which will ensure that all affected areas are restored to their original condition once construction activities are completed. 

Dewatering at MH 141_68
Dewatering at MH 163_01

January 29, 2026December 2025 and January 2026 Progress

In December and January, Michels completed the spraying of the mainline sewer.

During this time, the work progressed as planned and met project requirements.

 

February 2026 Projections

In February, Michels will shift its focus to assisting subcontractors with the completion of manhole rehabilitation work, ensuring that all remaining tasks are completed efficiently and in accordance with project specifications.

Dropping bag in mixer
Top Attendant for Pullman

December 3, 2025November 2025 Progress

In November, Michels installed more than 411,500 pounds of geopolymer into the mainline running parallel to South Wolf Road, heading south.

During this time, our subcontractor, Pullman, continued rehabilitating manhole entries by applying advanced carbon-fiber reinforcement systems designed to strengthen and restore aging infrastructure. Together, these efforts contribute to a more resilient and long-lasting utility network.

 

January 2026 Projections

Michels will complete the spraying of the mainline, marking a major milestone in the project. This work will bring us close to finalizing a significant portion of our scope, with nearly 12,000 feet of mainline sewer successfully rehabilitated.

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Vaccing out water from the mainline 9.16.2025 (1)

November 10, 2025August, September, and October 2025 Progress

In August, Michels completed a project beneath the Chicago Executive Airport, where the team successfully installed 351,000 pounds of geopolymer to reinforce and restore the underground sewer.

In September, Michels installed 449,000 pounds of geopolymer to line the sewer mainline beneath Chicago Executive Airport. The project extended southbound, running under the intersection of South Wolf Road and East Palatine Road, and continued parallel to South Wolf Road.

In October, Michels installed 277,500 pounds of geopolymer to line the main line sewer running south along South Wolf Road, just past the intersection of South Wolf Road and East Palatine Road.

 

November and December 2025 Projections

Michels will continue to work on the main line sewer rehabilitation beneath South Wolf Road and manhole rehabilitation underneath the Chicago Executive Airport.

Wheeling - July 2025 Progress
Wheeling - August and September 2025 Projections

August 6, 2025July 2025 Progress

In July, Michels completed the first section of the sewer system below Chicago Executive Airport. To accommodate the heat, we switched back and forth from working during the day and night.

 

 

August and September 2025 Projections

Michels will continue to work on the main line sewer rehabilitation beneath the Chicago Executive airport, where we will be installing approximately 600,000 lbs. of geopolymer. Once the mainline operations are completed, we will begin rehab work on the manhole structures.

June 2025-1

July 2, 2025June 2025 Progress

In June, Michels started to line the sewer north and south of Harper College. During the lining, we also started to jet the mainline down to East Camp McDonald Rd. and South Wolf Rd. At the end of the month, we moved our work to the Chicago Executive Airport.

May 2025-1

July 2, 2025May 2025 Progress

In May, Michels continued to clean the sewer north and south of Harper College. While cleaning at Harper College, Michels had started jetting and vacuuming out the sewer. In June, we will start to line this section with geopolymer.

April 2025

July 2, 2025April 2025 Progress

In April, Michels completed the mainline geopolymer work between Hintz Rd. and Chaddick Dr. Once this section was completed, we moved our lining equipment to south of Palatine Rd. at Harper College and started cleaning the sewer walls.

March

April 11, 2025March 2025 Progress

In March, Michels Trenchless completed the mainline geopolymer work outside of the Chicago Executive Airport north of Palatine Rd. Once this section was completed, we moved our lining equipment to Hintz Rd. and Chaddick Dr. to continue working on the mainline portion of the sewer rehabilitation project.

February

March 24, 2025February 2025 Progress

In February, Michels finished installing geopolymer for the first two sewer sections next to the Chicago Executive Airport. From there, we continued work along South Wolf Rd., heading towards Palatine Rd. By the end of the month, we had installed more than a quarter million pounds of geopolymer as we rehabilitated the sanitary system.

January

March 4, 2025January 2025 Progress

In January, we continued to work on lining the sewer system that runs parallel to South Wolf Rd. Our crews also worked on cleaning the sewer ahead of our lining crew and addressed infiltration concerns throughout the system.

Jan & Feb

January 16, 2025January & February 2025 Projections

Michels will continue to work on installing the geopolymer lining and glass grid along South Wolf Rd. towards Palatine Rd. Once this section of sewer has been lined, our crews will move to Hintz Rd. and begin lining from the corner of Chaddick Dr. back towards South Wolf Rd.

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January 16, 2025December 2024 Progress

Michels’ crew members cleaned the mainline sewer and addressed infiltration issues during the first half of December. They then began the installation of the geopolymer liner south of the Chicago Executive Airport. During the last week of the year, our crew members began installing the glass grid fabric and prepared for the next round of geopolymer.

November

January 16, 2025November 2024 Progress

In November, our crews completed the carbon fiber installation for the Phase 1 project while continuing the prep work required to begin the Phase 2-through-4 portions of the project. We installed the 18-inch bypass line in Hintz Rd. and restored the road for use throughout the year.

October

January 8, 2025October 2024 Progress

Michels and our subcontractors continued to work on the manhole rehabilitation for the Phase 1 portion of the project, nearly completing the carbon fiber installation. We also continued installing ladder rungs and added epoxy to the manhole chimneys. Towards the end of the month, our crews began fusing pipe for the Phase 2 bypass.

September

November 21, 2024September 2024 Progress

Michels Trenchless continued to work on the Phase 1 portion of the project throughout the month of September, completing approximately 50% of the manhole rehabilitation from Meadowbrook Park to West Hintz Rd.

Our crews also continued cleaning the mainline sewer for the Phase 2 and Phase 3 portions of the project, working adjacent to the Chicago Executive airport. We have also started our restoration work on Century Dr., which will be completed before the winter months.

September-1

August 29, 2024September 2024 Projection

Our subcontractor Mersino Water Solutions will begin constructing the Phase 2 bypass.

Michels will clean out the existing sewer line to prepare it for rehabilitation.

Pullman and Michels will continue to rehabilitate maintenance holes in the Meadowbrook Park area along with maintenance holes along Century Dr. and Chaddick Dr.

August progress

August 1, 2024August 2024 Progress

We will begin tree clearing for our second bypass pumping operation.

Our subcontractor Pullman will rehabilitate maintenance holes for the 14b intercepting sewer along Chaddick Dr. and Century Dr.

August

August 1, 2024August 2024 Progress

The Michels CIPP team installed 2,900 feet of liner in intercepting sewer 14b.

Our subcontractor Mersino Water Solutions has maintained 24-hour monitoring of their installed bypass.

July

July 17, 2024July 2024 Progress

The bypass as planned was approved by MWRD on June 5.

Our subcontractor Mersino Water Solutions completed the construction of the Phase 1 temporary sewer bypass. This 24-inch HDPE pipe is fusion welded at all joints and completely sealed along its entire length.

Odor mitigation techniques are being employed at suction and discharge locations to alleviate any potential nuisance that could be caused to the general public.

The Michels CIPP team began the mobilization of their equipment to kick off the installation of 2,900 feet of cured-in-place lining of the 14B sewer slated for July 8.


Another subcontractor, Airy’s, Inc., has made progress in exposing several manholes required for access during our rehabilitation operations. A new manhole was installed in an exisiting Wheeling-owned 24-inch sanitary line within Meadowbrook Park.

June

June 1, 2024June 2024 Progress

Pictured: structural technologies manhole inspecting near station 140+00

During the month of June, we hope to begin field operations with the placement of the Phase 1 bypass. Once completed, CIPP rehabilitation of the 48-inch diameter 14B interceptor that runs south between Meadowbrook Park and Hintz Rd. will take place.

May

May 9, 2024May 2024 Progress

Michels Trenchless has established a forward operating base in Wheeling, IL.

We have coordinated with the Village of Wheeling to ensure that all operations will comply with Village ordinance and will not be a nuisance to the public.

The first stock of materials to be used on phases 2 through 4 of this project were received and stored in our site shop in Wheeling.

During the month of May, we hope to finalize our bypass routing and begin field operations in late May or early June.

Our field operations will begin with the Phase 1 bypass placement, followed by CIPP rehabilitation of the 48-inch diameter 14B interceptor that runs south between Meadowbrook Park and Hintz Rd.

May

May 1, 2024Material

462,000 lbs. of geopolymer was received between April 26 and May 1 at the Michels Trenchless shop in Wheeling, IL.

This material is an integral part of the trenchless technologies that are being utilized in this project to ensure minimum disruption to everyday operations of all businesses, homeowners and vehicles.

CIPP

April 11, 2024CIPP Investigation

The Michels Trenchless cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) crew visited Meadowbrook Park to further investigate any potential installation difficulties that may be incurred during the lining process.

The length of lining was verified by an aboveground walk of the interceptor path assisted by GPS technology and measuring equipment.

March-1

March 18, 2024CCTV Inspection

CCTV inspection from a manhole in Meadowbrook Park to a manhole in the rightmost westbound lane of Hintz Rd., approximately 60 feet west of Chaddick Dr. was completed between Monday, March 11 and Monday, March 18.

Verification of the diameter of the host sewer was completed by the Michels field technicians present.

A lane closure was approved and implemented on Hintz rd. on Monday March 18th to access a manhole.

March-1

March 4, 2024March 2024 

We are currently in the process of procuring a field office and staging area for our operations during this job.

An IDOT Detour Committee meeting is scheduled for this month (March 2024) regarding the proposed detour at Wolf Rd. & Old Willow Rd.

There is active coordination with our subcontractors and specialists to optimize the efficiency of proposed field operations.

Field activities are slated to begin between April and May 2024.

Junction Chambers
Confined Space

February 19, 2024Junction Chamber Inspection

A chamber at Meadowbrook Park was inspected by our TV crew on Monday. Our plans for flow bypass implementation were successfully confirmed. With this we are one step closer to getting boots on the ground.

 

Confined Space Entry

Ventilation and gas meters were used by the inspection team prior to entry of the chamber. Remote controlled as well as handheld inspection equipment was used.

Feb 24

February 19, 2024CCDOTH Permit Approved

The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCDOTH) approved our pending construction permit.