Roadway and Facility Upgrades committed to by Northfield Township Road District, $2 million, including Stormwater Relief
NORTHBROOK, Ill. (July 15, 2026) — The Northfield Township Road District (NTRD) Board of Trustees unanimously approved the FY2026-2027 budget in June, including a $2 million capital investment program for roadway upgrades, facility improvements, and stormwater mitigation and drainage projects in south Northfield Township. The work will be funded within a reduced property tax levy, according to the Road District, and includes coordination with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) as part of $53 million in regional flood mitigation efforts.
| At a Glance | FY2026-2027 |
|---|---|
| Roadway upgrades & pavement preservation | ~$1 million |
| Operations facility modernization | ~$1 million |
| Property tax levy | Reduced 4.6% — first cut in decades |
| Regional stormwater partnership with MWRD | $53+ million over three years |
$1 Million in Roadway Upgrades
The NTRD has allocated approximately $1 million for roadway projects in FY2026-2027. Planned work on District-maintained streets includes:
- Hot-mix asphalt resurfacing
- Pavement preservation and crack sealing
- Spot pavement patching
- Drainage structure adjustments
- Pavement marking and signage replacement
- Safety improvements
The investment targets roads identified through the District's pavement-condition assessment as nearing the end of their service life, where timely treatment extends roadway lifespan and avoids costlier reconstruction. Specific street segments and construction schedules will be published as contracts are awarded and seasonal paving windows are confirmed.
$1 Million in Facility Improvements
A second $1 million is committed to modernizing the District's operations facility at 237 Melvin Drive in Northbrook, which houses the District's crews, fleet and equipment. Potential projects include:
- Roof replacement
- Electrical service upgrade
- Fire alarm and life-safety systems
- Energy-efficiency upgrades
- Other building-related capital work to improve the safety, efficiency and long-term resilience of the public works campus
"One of the first steps we took was completing a comprehensive assessment of the District's facility to establish a baseline of building conditions, code-compliance gaps and required upgrades. By investing in infrastructure now, we can reduce deferred maintenance costs and ensure crews are equipped to respond to snow events, storms, and day-to-day road needs."
Michael Korman, Highway Commissioner
Stormwater Mitigation — Northbrook West & Central Avenue, South Northfield Township
The District is also planning stormwater mitigation work to reduce localized flooding and improve drainage in the Northbrook West and Central Avenue areas of South Northfield Township, where residents have experienced recurring flooding during heavy rainfall events. Planned and proposed measures include:
- Storm-sewer and culvert improvements
- Ditch regrading and conveyance work
- Inlet replacement
- Detention and retention enhancements
Where appropriate, the District is coordinating with partner agencies through intergovernmental agreements on drainage and stormwater projects.
The NTRD is closely partnering with the MWRD to deploy more than $53 million in stormwater mitigation projects over the next three years, which will directly benefit Northfield Township residents.
Budgeted Within a Reduced Levy
The capital program is funded within the District's FY2026-2027 budget and a reduced property tax levy. NTRD recently approved a 4.6% levy reduction, marking the first cut in decades, according to District records.
"This program maintains safe roads, prevents neighborhoods from flooding, and modernizes the road district facility — all within a reduced tax levy. By lowering property taxes while continuing to invest in essential infrastructure, we are easing the burden on taxpayers and helping seniors and longtime residents remain in the community they helped build."
Michael Korman, Highway Commissioner
About the Northfield Township Road District
The Northfield Township Road District is an independent unit of local government in Cook County, Illinois, responsible for the maintenance, repair, and improvement of District roadways and related infrastructure under the Illinois Highway Code (605 ILCS 5/). Led by an elected Highway Commissioner, the District maintains in-house crews and equipment to serve residents of Northfield Township year-round.
Media contact:
Michael J. Korman, Highway Commissioner
Northfield Township Road District
847-724-7055