South Street between Southhampton Drive and Burgess Road in Geneva will be closed until Friday, Nov. 1, as the city repairs the roadway’s culvert crossing that was damaged by a sinkhole.

According to a city of Geneva news release, traffic signs are being installed Aug. 9 detouring eastbound South Street traffic to head north on Burgess Road, west on Kaneville Road and south on Southhampton Drive. The detour is reversed for motorists heading westbound on South Street.

Trucks will not be permitted on South Street between Sheila Lane and Western Avenue unless they are making a delivery to the City’s Public Works Department, 1800 South St. Truck drivers will need to access the Public Works Department from the west on South Street and exit the same route.

A detour map and more details are available under the “Construction Projects” link on the city’s website.

The city is in the process of notifying Lakeshore Recycling Systems, Geneva Community Unit School District 304, the Geneva Park District and Burgess Norton regarding the closure.

City staff observed the sinkhole over the drainage culvert in the westbound lane of South Street east of Southhampton Drive earlier this week. After an underground maintenance crew inspected the culvert’s interior, several areas of deterioration were discovered.

Additional engineering field inspection assessments determined the need to replace the culvert and close the street to ensure public safety.

The culvert is estimated to be more than 30 years old. The reconstruction project is expected to be completed in 12 weeks, weather permitting.

People who have project questions can call the city’s Public Works Department at 630-232-1501 for more information.

SOURCE: city of Geneva news release