South Englewood Flood Reduction Project

South Navajo Street, from Quincy to Stanford Avenue, is now open to traffic as the South Englewood Flood Reduction Project nears completion. Traffic can now move through the area without detours, marking a major milestone in the city’s largest infrastructure project.

This $23 million investment is designed to reduce the risk of flooding during major storm events, including a 100-year storm event. The project improves the city’s stormwater system by adding new stormwater detention ponds and upgrading stormwater pipes in key areas of the South Englewood drainage basin.

Project Benefits:

• Increased stormwater capacity to reduce neighborhood and street flooding
• Detention ponds that temporarily hold and slowly release stormwater runoff
• Long-term infrastructure improvements that enhance public safety
• Restored roadways and future passive open space

Crews will continue with final work over the next few weeks to ensure the new stormwater system is functioning as designed and will complete cleanup and restoration at the project sites.

While construction is nearing completion, the new detention pond near South Navajo Street remains gated off and closed to the public. As a new stormwater facility, the city will monitor how the pond performs during various types of storm events to determine future public use. Keeping the area closed also gives newly planted sod time to establish properly. Public access will be evaluated after this observation period.

Thank you to the Englewood community for your continued patience and support throughout construction. This project is a significant step towards a safer and more resilient future for Englewood.

The South Englewood Flood Reduction Project continues to make significant progress!

• On March 14, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) successfully completed Run 2 and has now been removed from the site.
• Crews are installing the permanent pipe for Run 2 and securing it in place with grout.
• Work on the stormwater ponds is moving forward with gabion baskets, lighting, and concrete installation.

Several infrastructure projects are happening in South Englewood, including lead service line replacements. Learn more about the Lead Reduction Program here.

We appreciate your patience as we continue this vital project.

Over February, the contractor and construction crew made progress on the new stormwater ponds off Navajo Street and the second tunnel run along Stanford Drive.

The pond features include stormwater elements such as trickle channels in both ponds, a concrete base at Pond A, and a concrete baffle wall at Pond B. The baffle wall was a significant effort to construct due to its large amount of rebar, which had to be cut, formed, and installed by hand. Non-stormwater features, including gabion baskets and light poles, have also begun to be installed at the ponds.

At the tunnel, the crew successfully launched the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for Run 2 along Stanford Drive this month and has begun tunneling toward Stanford Avenue, where it will connect with Run 1. Both runs are being constructed using the two-pass method, meaning a temporary tunnel is built behind the TBM, and once the entire run is complete, the permanent pipe is slid and grouted into place. Crews are currently sliding the pipe into place for Run 1 and are more than halfway through this process.

The South Englewood Flood Reduction Project continues to make significant progress, with the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) achieving a major milestone. The TBM has successfully completed its first run, boring over 1,440 feet to connect Rotolo Park with new stormwater detention ponds on the west side of South Navajo Street. This crucial tunneling work is a cornerstone of the project, designed to reduce flooding and improve stormwater flows throughout the South Englewood drainage basin.

The project team, including Englewood Public Works, American Civil Constructors (ACC) and subcontractor Northstar, is utilizing a two-pass tunneling method. The first pass establishes a temporary tunnel, and the second pass installs and grouts the new stormwater pipe into place.

With the first run complete, the TBM is preparing for the second, shorter section of approximately 230 feet. Breakthrough for this final segment is expected in about six to twelve weeks.

The project is funded by stormwater fees and is expected to be substantially complete by this spring, including final landscaping.

Why are the trees being removed?

The trees that are being removed were either in conflict with the South Englewood Flood Reduction project’s design or were deemed unhealthy or unsafe by Parks, Recreation, Library and Golf.

What does it mean to be in conflict with the design?

The trees that were in conflict with the design were either at an elevation that was changing or in a location that required excavation for the new design. The project’s design includes raising the west bank of the detention facility that comprises the Rotolo field. Raising the west bank is necessary to provide the head pressure needed to force water into the pipe at the new outlet structure while simultaneously providing additional flood protection for residents on Stanford Avenue. The design also includes excavating for a trickle channel on the south side of the park. This will require the installation of a block wall and removal of a portion of the south bank of the Rotolo field.

How was it determined that a tree was unhealthy or unsafe?

The City Arborist inspected the trees in the Rotolo field area and found four trees to not be in good health with decay in the tree trunks.

Why couldn’t the project work around the existing trees?

The project couldn’t work around the existing trees for a few different reasons. For the trees on the west bank the increase in elevation that is required to increase stormwater capacity would have necessitated burying the trees, which would not have allowed them to survive.

For the trees on the south bank the new outlet structure and trickle channel require excavation which completely alter the topography of the area. The outlet and trick channel could not have shifted northward without decreasing Rotolo field’s viability as a recreational facility in dry weather conditions and resulted in a negative impact to the sledding hill in the park. Additionally, a northward shift would have increased the complexity of the project due to existing underground utilities.

How many trees are being removed?

A total of 14 trees were removed in October 2024. Nine were in conflict with the South Englewood Flood Reduction project, three were unhealthy and removed at PRLG’s request and two were deemed unsafe and unhealthy by a combined PW and PRLG team.

Was the tree removal part of the Parks Bond that is up for vote this November?

No. This series of tree removals was part of the South Englewood Flood Reduction project, which is fully funded by Public Works and approved for construction by council in 2023.

How was this project communicated to the neighborhood?

This was communicated by a physical mailer that was distributed to 265 residences hand distribution of a door hanger to residences most nearest the disruption. A project employee also had several one-on-one conversations with residents whose properties border the park and were most affected by the tree removal.

Will the trees be replaced?

Yes, in 2025 15 new trees will be planted in Rotolo park as well as additional 44 trees planted around the new detention ponds.

Was the tree removal always part of the South Englewood Flood Reduction project?

Yes. There were five trees on the south side of Rotolo that were in conflict with the original design. An unforeseen circumstance did lead to a design change after construction kicked off that led to the removal of the trees on the west bank of the pond. Additionally, the City Arborist inspected the trees in the area and determined that some were unhealthy or dead and their removal was included as part of this effort.

Starting October 14, W. Stanford Ave. will be closed at W. Stanford Pl. for construction as part of the South Englewood Flood Reduction Project, focusing on stormwater pipe improvements in the Rotolo Park area. Drivers are advised to follow the posted detour routes and heed all traffic signs.

Please review the updated detour map for the South Englewood Flood Reduction Project, which now includes new one-way detours on Navajo St. and Windemere St. These detours will be in place for several months as construction continues on the new detention pond. For your safety and convenience, please follow the posted detour signs.

The South Englewood Flood Reduction Project is progressing with the use of advanced tunneling technology. The project aims to mitigate flood risks in the area while minimizing disruptions to residents.

Englewood Public Works is working with American Civil Constructors (ACC) and subcontractor Northstar to employ a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) designed to excavate underground to accommodate the new pipe. The tunneling will cover approximately 1,600 feet between the new detention pond and Rotolo Park. The tunnel is constructed using the two pass method, which involves installing sections of the tunnel in 4-5' increments as the TBM makes its first pass through the future tunnel location, followed by pipe sections on its second pass therefore creating the completed tunnel.

Utilizing the TBM was chosen over traditional open cut excavation methods due to the depth of the project and will reduce the impact to residents along Standford Ave.

Stay tuned for continued updates as the South Englewood Flood Reduction Project continues construction throughout 2024.