Downers Grove District 58 middle school construction to start over winter break

After months of planning with architects and engineers, construction began at the two middle schools in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 over winter break.

Contractors on Dec. 23 began asbestos abatement work, including removing ceiling and floor tile in first-floor areas at O’Neill Middle School. At Herrick Middle School, contractors also began asbestos abatement work, removing ceiling tile in the first-floor hallways. Work at both schools will continue until about Jan. 4. When students return to school Jan. 8, they will see unfinished concrete floors and/or open ceilings in abated areas.

The work is being performed by an Illinois Department of Public Health licensed asbestos abatement contractor using workers trained, accredited and licensed to perform asbestos abatement in Illinois public school buildings. The project will be monitored at all times by TEM Environmental.

The work allows the district to get a jump on construction immediately after school ends in May. Because of the size of the projects and the schools’ schedule, the district needs to make use of every day when school is not in session.

The sections of the building where work is occurring will be isolated and restricted to only the licensed asbestos abatement contractor and environmental consulting team. Construction barriers and signage identifying these abatement areas will be posted at the entrances to the building areas that are restricted. Access to these areas will remain restricted until all regulatory clearance requirements have been met. This includes rigorous air sampling.

Concurrent with the work, general contractor Bulley & Andrews will have teams working in both middle schools. They will be primarily focused on exterior door location changes and other advanced preparatory work.