If you plan on driving or traveling through the area this week, here is what you need to know about the traffic impacts and the project itself.
The Closure Details
- Dates & Times: From Monday, July 20 through Thursday, July 23, 2026, between the hours of 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM daily.
- Location: Temporary lane closures and traffic control measures will be active on Lake Morton Drive, specifically along the western side of the lake.
- Expected Completion: While the active daytime lane closures are scheduled for the early part of the week, the overall installation phase is expected to wrap up by Friday, July 31, 2026.
Drivers are advised to use extra caution, anticipate minor delays, and closely follow the posted traffic signs and flaggers through the work zone.
What is the Water Quality Project?
The construction marks the rollout of a specialized cleanup project funded in part by a state grant. The city is installing three Phosphorus Elimination Systems with Denitrification (PES+N) modules directly into the western side of the lake.
These modules act as a filtration and treatment system designed to scrub the surface water:
- Targeting Runoff Nutrients: They are specifically built to pull high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen out of the water.
- The Environmental Goal: By reducing these specific nutrients (which usually wash into the lake via stormwater runoff and wildlife drop), the city aims to prevent heavy algal blooms, increase light penetration, and drastically improve the overall water clarity and health of Lake Morton.
The system is part of a multi-year effort to keep the historic lake healthy for the local wildlife—especially its famous waterfowl population.