Rochester IL - Public Works Department

Rochester IL - Public Works Department This is the Public Works Page for the Village of Rochester, IL

05/14/2026

Hiya Rockets...

I saw a post with someone asking about the barrels on 29, and that reminded me I had not posted what we knew. I meant to do this earlier.

A contractor for the state is doing "pavement patching" from the river through town and ending at Cardinal Hill Road.

Per the locate requests we got.

The dig ticket is not valid till Friday, so work will not begin before that. In my opinion, probably not till Monday. It is a large locate area, they may give us all another day or two.

But it may begin on Friday, so plan your commute accordingly.

Thanks,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Fire & Rescue
Rochester Times

About noon, the contractor was done and packing up their equipment.Roads were opened about 1pm.As you can see from the p...
04/06/2026

About noon, the contractor was done and packing up their equipment.

Roads were opened about 1pm.

As you can see from the pictures, this line is roughly 10-12 feet deep. Just a little deeper than our equipment can go. Those 'benches' (is what you call the little ledges in a hole like this) are roughly 2 feet wide and tall.

It was a radial break (like the pipe was going to snap instead of a split) but it wasn't all the way around. whew!

The little white box on the clamp is a GPS unit. We have been working to GPS all of our infrastructure in town.

Thank you to everyone who had patience with us and honored our road closure signs.

Hopefully it is a while before we need to do this again.

Than you,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Times
Rochester Fire & Rescue

Hoppy Easter!!Tomorrow is the big day! Last post most of you will see. Although I will have one more for the early riser...
04/05/2026

Hoppy Easter!!

Tomorrow is the big day! Last post most of you will see. Although I will have one more for the early risers on Monday.

West Main/Rochester Road will be closing somewhere between 7am and 8am on Monday (tomorrow) morning.

Water main repairs are needed. Again.

Please leave earlier and adhere to the detour routes which can be found on our post from Friday morning. We are also trying to get some detour signs to help with those unfamiliar with our roads. This is for both our safety and yours. Not to mention that ignoring a Road Closed sign can cost you a ticket.

Thanks,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Fire & Rescue
Rochester Times

Hello Rockets!Third reminder that West Main/Rochester Road will be closed from the stoplight headed toward Springfield.T...
04/05/2026

Hello Rockets!

Third reminder that West Main/Rochester Road will be closed from the stoplight headed toward Springfield.

That pesky water main has again just cannot seem to contain itself.

No Boil Order. Potentially affected parties have been contacted by us via phone calls. If you have not heard from us, then you will not be affected.

The contractor will be here at 730 or so on Monday April 6th if the road is not closed already, it will be close to that time. Please plan accordingly.

See our post from Friday morning for alternate ways to your destination should that be your normal route.

Thank you,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Fire & Rescue
Rochester Times

04/04/2026

Report of a tree down on E.Main.

Not sure if on the road.

Public Works is on the way to check it out.

👷‍♂️

Hello Rochester Rockets.Second reminder that West Main just past N. Oak Hill Road will be closed Monday around 730 for w...
04/04/2026

Hello Rochester Rockets.

Second reminder that West Main just past N. Oak Hill Road will be closed Monday around 730 for water main repair work.

Please find alternate routes to your destinations. Our previous post included a map with details on alternate routes.

Thanks,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Times
Rochester Fire & Rescue

Hello Rochester!!This is your notice that we have another water event (thanks William and the Rochester Regatta Committe...
04/03/2026

Hello Rochester!!

This is your notice that we have another water event (thanks William and the Rochester Regatta Committee) on West Main/Rochester Road just west of the stoplight at North Oak Hill Road. Hopefully this goes well and it is a one day closure.

The contractor is expected to arrive Monday at about 730 and we will be closing down the west bound lanes headed into Springfield from Rochester.

Safety is the number one concern and closing the road helps to ensure that somewhat. If you Google (or use your search engine of choice) about construction zone deaths, motor vehicle operators and their passengers are affected MORE than work zone workers.

We understand that people are often confused by detours, as they only know one way to and one way home from their destination.

Ignoring the road closed signs puts workers and vehicle operators at risk of injury. A few drivers found out that it is illegal to drive past a Road Closed sign at our last road closure there. Rochester Police helped us assure our safety by being present and discussing this fact with a few people who thought the signs were a suggestion.

I have included a map that may help with the detour. I am in the process of purchasing Detour signs. I hoped this wasn't going to happen again for a while.

Please make sure your non-Facebook friends and family are aware that the road is closed.

Currently there is NOT is a boil order. I have contacted the same people as last time. If you did not get a call from me (James) then you are not affected. Four homes along West Main and the Elementary schools are all that is affected.

As always (and I mean it) we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Questions? It is faster to call us at the Public Works Shop at 217.498.7062. However, I will try to keep an eye on the posts. There will be a few to try to inform people.

Thanks,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Fire & Rescue
Rochester Times

Hello Rochester Regatta participants and all the ships at sea...Unfortunately, we are cancelling the regatta for the for...
03/06/2026

Hello Rochester Regatta participants and all the ships at sea...

Unfortunately, we are cancelling the regatta for the foreseeable future, as the Public Works crew did a little exploratory digging on Heathrow and were able to find the source of the water. They performed the repairs, and we are now going to have to cancel the 1st Annual Rochester Rocket Regatta. Our Committee Chair William O'Sullivan is deeply sadden by this news, but promises to keep his eye out for future possible sites. Frankly, he is not to be deterred!

Apologies for not getting this out there a little sooner. It has been a week. But a phone call with a resident today, reminded me I had not updated on this.

Have a great weekend, and make sure you can get out while the weather is nice.

Thanks,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department

Edit: While they ended up having to take a little late of a lunch, the crew was able to apply a clamp to stop the leak. ...
02/19/2026

Edit: While they ended up having to take a little late of a lunch, the crew was able to apply a clamp to stop the leak.

They found an 1.25 inch water service with a split.

They didnt provide me with pictures, so nothing to see here except my cartoon.

I was advised that this was NOT William's spot in the road on Heathrow, but rather one a few doors down.

The regatta is still on! (see William's comment!)

Thanks,
Public Works
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Hello Rockets!

William's favorite ice skating rink (although less of a skating rink, and more of a water feature currently) on Heathrow has now gotten to the point of the ground being soft between the sidewalk and the road.

We will be digging today to see if we can locate the source of the water.

As we have said in previous posts, we have attempted to find the source of the water before, maybe we will have more luck today.

We will keep you as updated as we can.

Thanks,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Fire & Rescue

EDIT: 8:45pm. The clamp is on. No picture of that. Cleanup has begun.Im adding some scene pictures though. The road is i...
01/29/2026

EDIT: 8:45pm. The clamp is on. No picture of that. Cleanup has begun.

Im adding some scene pictures though.

The road is icy around the location with the water everywhere.

Salt has been placed at the location to make things safer.

Thanks.

What a week.

A decent amount of snow to push over the weekend.

A water event we fixed early Tuesday. Another water event we worked on Tuesday night.

And another water event tonight. (Thursday the 29th of January)

Crews will be working on East Main near Oak Street. Locates were just called, staff and equipment are gearing up. Locates will be good in about 2 hours and digging will begin.

Probably lane closure, if not a reduction. Be kind to the workers and each other. Its cold and slippery when that water freezes.

We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

No boil order at this time.

Thanks,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Fire & Rescue
Rochester Public Library District
Rochester Times

EDIT #2 - everything went well. Crew left the shop to get a late dinner about 8pm. No boil order.Stay warm. I hope I do...
01/27/2026

EDIT #2 - everything went well. Crew left the shop to get a late dinner about 8pm.

No boil order.

Stay warm. I hope I don't have to post any more Notices for a while, 😁

EDIT to say: No boil Order at this time, 😉

From my phone, so no fun pictures. Just a barricade in a ditch with some water.

A new water feature on Sattley.

Crews are getting locates called in and work will begin in about two hours. Give or take.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thanks,
Public Works

Rochester IL Village Hall
Rochester Illinois Police Department
Rochester Fire & Rescue
Rochester Public Library District
Rochester Times

Address

125 E. First Street
Rochester, IL
62563

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12174987062

Website

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