Village of Homewood awards Burns & McDonnell $11.72M progressive design-build water project

HOMEWOOD, ILL -- Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering, construction and architecture firm, has been selected by the Village of Homewood, Illinois, to lead the efforts of the community’s progressive design-build water project. The project will focus on transitioning the community’s water source from the Village of Harvey, Illinois, to the City of Chicago Heights, Illinois, with the design and construction of 2.5 miles of a 30-inch transmission main and booster pump station. The major-capital critical infrastructure investment will enable Homewood to continue providing clean and reliable water service for residents and businesses throughout the community at a reduced and stable water rate.

“I want to commend Burns & McDonnell as they have continued to work with us to reduce project costs throughout our planning stages of this progressive design-build water project,” Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld says. “By partnering with Burns & McDonnell, we are able to achieve the balance of fiscal responsibility and safety for our residents for years to come.”

The $11.72 million project is the largest public works project Homewood has undertaken since its founding in 1893. As part of the project, Burns & McDonnell will provide design and construction services for the critical infrastructure needed to build the transmission main and booster pump station.

Additionally, the firm will take the lead on performing a corrosion control study to reduce the potential for corrosion within water service lines to maintain clean water standards for the community. Construction begins this winter with the clearing of trees at the transmission main and booster pump station site, with construction expected to be completed in August 2022 — months earlier than would be expected from a traditional design-bid-build approach.

As the project will be fully funded through Homewood’s previously saved capital dollars, local residents will have a more reliable water system without increased taxes to community members. The Burns & McDonnell team has also kept costs at a minimum for Homewood through the use of a value engineering approach, which allows additional savings by examining potential design changes pertaining to the project’s pipe materials, spacing of valves, and other construction and installation processes without compromising the functionality of the system.

“We are honored to work with the Village of Homewood as it works to provide reliable water to the community,” says Patrick Clifford, regional Water Group manager for Burns & McDonnell in Chicago. “Our team strives to uphold a commitment to safety and deliver on-time and on-budget projects through providing a progressive design-build approach, maintaining collaboration among all invested stakeholders to support those who rely on these critical services.”

Backed by more than 7,600 professionals worldwide, Burns & McDonnell has the in-house staff needed to provide design and construction services to manage the largest critical infrastructure project in the Village of Homewood’s history. With an expedited design-build approach, the team will have Homewood’s water system up and running faster with an efficient project schedule.