Utica Officials Hear Complaints About Sand Mine Project

If you’ve driven from Utica to Ottawa on Route 6, you’ve probably noticed work is well underway for a new sand mine past the Osage curves.

According to the NewsTribune, a packed house urged the Utica Village Board to do something to halt the noise, traffic, mud and surprise road closures as Illinois Sand digs a quarry.  Mayor Fred Esmond says he also wasn’t told about road closures and got an apology from contractors.  Esmond says he’s sympathetic but there isn’t much the village can do.

Village Attorney Herb Klein reminded the fired up sand quarry neighbors that Illinois Sand agreed to annual monetary compensation to affected homeowners.  The deal though is on hold since homeowners and Illinois Sand are caught up in litigation.