Chronic flooding has impacted the Lincolnshire Drive South neighborhood for years. Ciorba Group is providing construction engineering services for the Lincolnshire Drive South Flood Reduction Project for the Village of Lincolnshire. The project addresses long-standing flooding challenges in the area driven by both an undersized storm sewer system and backwater impacts from the Des Plaines River.

The existing subdivision is located along the east side of the Des Plaines River, just south of Half Day Road (IL 22). Historically, the storm sewer system has only had the capacity to effectively manage up to a 2-year storm event. During larger storm events, this limited capacity results in ponding throughout streets and yards until water can slowly move through the system. This project represents a five-fold improvement in storm capacity for a neighborhood that has flooded repeatedly.

Flooding in this area is further complicated by fluctuating water surface elevations in the Des Plaines River, which serves as the receiving body for the neighborhood’s stormwater system. When river levels rise due to upstream rainfall, the elevated water can restrict or even prevent stormwater from draining out of the system, causing water to back up and into the neighborhood.

In addition, much of the subdivision lies within the floodplain and floodway of the Des Plaines River. While an existing berm along the east side of the river helps provide protection up to the 10-year flood elevation, more significant events can overtop the berm and lead to widespread flooding within the neighborhood.

Building on earlier project phases, the current improvements are designed to increase system capacity and reduce flood risk. Ciorba’s involvement spans the full project lifecycle, from the planning study that evaluated alternative solutions, through preliminary engineering that developed the preferred solution, to final design of the storm sewer system, pump station, water main, and roadway improvements. Now in the construction phase, Ciorba brings deep institutional knowledge of the project to its on-site role. Key components include a new storm sewer network designed for a 10-year storm event, representing a major improvement over existing conditions—as well as a stormwater pump station that allows water to be discharged into the Des Plaines River even when river levels are elevated.

When river levels exceed the 10-year flood elevation, overtopping of the berm can still occur. However, the enhanced storm sewer capacity will provide increased flood storage, and the pump station will help remove water from the neighborhood more quickly than under existing conditions.

Additional improvements include water main replacement and roadway upgrades. These enhancements are being implemented concurrently to maximize efficiency and minimize long-term disruption for residents.

Ciorba’s role includes full-time construction observation and documentation throughout the project. Services span preconstruction coordination, shop drawing and contractor submittal review, daily inspection reporting, monthly pay estimates, and change order preparation, as well as ongoing coordination with project stakeholders.

Serving as an on-site extension of the Village, the Resident Engineer maintains consistent communication with Village representatives and residents, the contractor, subcontractors, and utility partners. This proactive approach ensures that concerns from residents and property owners are addressed efficiently throughout construction.

Together, these improvements represent a comprehensive approach to managing both local drainage limitations and regional flood influences from the Des Plaines River, delivering a highly impactful improvement, reducing flooding impacts for 59 residences in the Lincolnshire community.

Construction is scheduled from Spring 2026 through Fall 2027.