Chicago Avenue Resurfacing

Work is scheduled to begin in mid-August on a resurfacing project along Chicago Avenue that will span the entire stretch of the Village from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard.

The project involves curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk ramp improvements and grinding and resurfacing of the asphalt street. Work is expected to be completed in November.  

The project also includes the installation of new lighting, decorative sidewalk treatments, crosswalks and street furnishings in the business district from Harlem Avenue to Belleforte. The majority of these streetscaping initiatives will be completed in the spring of 2017.

Chicago Avenue will remain open to traffic throughout the project, but there will be traffic disruptions and loss of on-street parking at various times during construction.

PROJECT UPDATES:

7/28/17: Pavement markings and street furniture were installed this week on Chicago Avenue between Harlem and Belleforte avenues, as the project moves toward the end. Over the next few weeks, signs taken down during the construction will be reinstalled and any remaining punch-list items completed. 

7/21/17: Paving was completed this week on Chicago Avenue between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. Pavement striping and street furniture installation are all that remain of this final phase of the federally funded project that began last year and included repaving Chicago Avenue across the entire Village from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard. 

7/14/17: Paving, striping and street furniture installation are all that remain of the final phase of the Chicago Avenue project underway between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. The brief state budget impasse did cause a minor delay, but work now is back on schedule. Preparations for paving were expected to be completed this week, with paving scheduled for next week, followed by striping. Parkway restoration and furniture installations will be last work. Completion of these final tasks will wrap up the state-funded project that began last year and included repaving Chicago Avenue across the entire Village from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard.

6/23/17: Work continued this week on the brick crosswalks, decorative sidewalks and lighting on Chicago Avenue between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. Crosswalk construction has required lane closures and traffic detours on portions of Marion Street and Maple Avenue, and west-bound only traffic along a section of Chicago Avenue. Chicago is expected to reopen to two-way traffic today between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. Installation of brick crosswalks on Chicago at Ridgeland Avenue also should wrap up this week, with normal traffic flow returning to the busy intersection.

6/16/17: Work continued this week on the brick crosswalks, decorative sidewalks and lighting on Chicago Avenue between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. Installation of the crosswalks is requiring lane closures and traffic detours on portions of Marion Street and Maple Avenue. However, normal traffic patterns are expected to resume on June 30. Chicago Avenue remains open only to westbound traffic between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. The installation of brick crosswalks also continued this week on Chicago at Ridgeland Avenue. The work is blocking the turning lanes on Chicago Avenue, but two-way traffic is being maintained. Normal traffic flow through the busy intersection is expected to be restored by June 24, barring any weather delays.

6/9/17: Chicago Avenue remains open only to westbound traffic between Belleforte and Harlem avenues as work continues on decorative sidewalk, brick street crosswalks and new lighting in the business district. Normal traffic patterns are expected to resume by the last week of June. New crosswalks also began going in this week on Chicago at Ridgeland Avenue. The work is blocking the turning lanes on Chicago Avenue, but two-way traffic is being maintained. Normal traffic flow through the busy intersection is expected to be restored by June 24, barring any weather delays. 

6/2/17: Installation of decorative sidewalks continued this week on the corners throughout the business district between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. As crews moved into the street to install the brick crosswalks across, east bound traffic is being detoured onto Division Street via Harlem and Oak Park avenues. Westbound traffic is being maintained, with two-way local traffic continuing at Belleforte. Normal traffic patterns are expected to resume by the last week of June. 

5/26/17: The first course of pavement was applied to Chicago Avenue between Harlem and Belleforte avenues and installation of decorative sidewalks began on the corners throughout the business district. Installation of the brick crosswalks is being staged to maintain traffic flow to the businesses. West-bound traffic will be maintained by detouring east-bound traffic to Division Street via Harlem and Oak Park avenues. Two-way local traffic will continue between Belleforte and Oak Park avenues, with normal traffic patterns expected to resume by the last week of June. 

5/19/17: The roadway surface is being removed between Harlem and Belleforte avenues in preparation for resurfacing of this final section of Chicago Avenue remaining from last’s year complete resurfacing from Harlem to Austin Boulevard. Crews continued striping streets this week from Belleforte east to Austin. Work on the sidewalks and curbs should be completed within about two more weeks.

5/12/17: Work continued this week on the south side of Chicago Avenue with curb improvements between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. The existing roadway asphalt will be removed next week in preparation for resurfacing of this final section remaining from last year’s complete resurfacing of Chicago Avenue from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard. Permanent street striping also is scheduled to begin next week from Belleforte Avenue east to Austin Boulevard.  

5/5/17: With new concrete curbs and gutters in place on the north side of Chicago Avenue, work with shift next week to the south side as improvements continue between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. Work on the remaining permanent street striping also is scheduled to begin next week from Belleforte east to Austin Boulevard. 

4/28/17: Removal and replacement of the concrete curbs and gutters is underway at various locations on the final section of the Chicago Avenue resurfacing project between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. All spot sewer repairs and most of the lighting improvements have been completed on both sides of the street. Work is set to begin next week on the permanent street striping remaining from last year’s work. 

4/24/17: Foundations and wiring for new street lights have been installed on the north side of Chicago Avenue, as work continues on the final phase of the project between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. Temporary poles were installed to ensure proper lighting until the new poles are delivered by the manufacturer. Wiring for new street lights on the south side of the street is being installed this week. Spot repairs to sewers also were tentatively scheduled this week, with flaggers in place to maintain traffic flow during the work. 

4/14/17: Installation of foundations and wiring for new street lights continued on Chicago Avenue, as contractors work on the final section of the Chicago Avenue resurfacing project that began last year. Spot repairs to sewers are tentatively scheduled to begin next week, but traffic flow will be maintained.

4/7/17: Foundations and wiring for new light poles were installed this week, as work continues on the final section of the Chicago Avenue resurfacing project that began last year.

3/31/17: Sidewalks are being removed and foundations installed at various locations for the new lighting. Water and sewer main improvements are scheduled to begin next week on Taylor Avenue from Flournoy Street to Harrison Street.

3/27/17: Construction resumes this week on Chicago Avenue between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. Workers will remove sidewalks for new lighting and to improve drainage.  Letters were sent to alert residents and businesses to the upcoming construction and staff also met individually with business operators.

12/9/16: No parking signs were removed this week as the Chicago Avenue resurfacing project winds down for the season. While critical pavement markings are being installed, striping for parking lanes and spaces will be postponed to the spring and completed as part of the streetscape projects planned for between Harlem and Belleforte avenues. The planter in front of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is complete and should be filled with planting soil by the end of next week, pending IDOT approval of the soil mix. All barricades then will be removed.  

12/2/16: Crews began painting the pavement markings on Chicago Avenue this week as the resurfacing project nears completion for the season. Some additional pavement markings will be added in the spring, in conjunction with the paving and streetscape work planned for the section between Belleforte and Harlem avenues. 

11/18/16: Crews are expected to finish resurfacing Chicago Avenue from Belleforte Avenue to Austin Boulevard before the Thanksgiving holiday, including pavement markings. The planter by the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio also should be reconstructed before Thanksgiving. However, the northwest corner of Chicago Avenue at Oak Park Avenue will remain closed to pedestrians for about two weeks to make adjustments to recent work. Parents of Holmes Elementary School students and crossing guards were notified of the impact on the intersection and urged to avoid that corner of the intersection until the work is completed.

11/16/16: Resurfacing of Chicago Avenue is scheduled to be completed today. Resurfacing, landscaping and lighting improvements planned for the section between Harlem and Belleforte avenues has been rescheduled to begin in the spring and will be staged to minimize impact on nearby businesses. 

11/14/16: Crews began laying the final layer of pavement. Work began at Austin Boulevard and will proceed west. The work is expected to take about four days. The northwest corner of Chicago and Oak Park will be closed for about two weeks to make adjustments to recent work. Parents of Holmes Elementary School students and crossing guards were notified of the possible impact on the intersection.

11/11/16: Installation of the final surface is expected to begin next week. Structural adjustments were made to the roadway this week and the vehicle detection loops for the traffic signs were installed. Joint sealant will be applied Sat., Nov. 12 to the centerline along the entire corridor, but traffic should not be affected.

10/28/16: The first course of pavement was installed this week on Chicago Avenue between Belleforte and Harlem avenues. Staff is evaluating how a water-main break at Fair Oaks Avenue could affect the paving schedule. In the meantime, subcontractors are onsite re-installing the brick corners at Ridgeland Avenue to ensure crossings are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

10/25/16: The first layer of pavement has been applied from Austin Boulevard to Belleforte Avenue. The stretch between Belleforte and Harlem Avenue will be repaved next year in conjunction with streetscaping and new street lighting in the business district.

10/24/16: The first layer of pavement is being applied todayfrom Austin Boulevard to Ridgeland Avenue.

10/21/16: Crews were scheduled to begin applying the first layer today at the Ridgeland Avenue intersection and between Belleforte and Woodbine avenues. Existing pavement was milled earlier in the week and oil applied to help the new asphalt adhere to the existing surface. Staff is working with the Park District to ensure the work does not interfere with Sunday’s Frank Lloyd Wright races, since Chicago Avenue is part of the course. The decision has been made to delay paving the section between Harlem and Belleforte avenues until spring so that planned landscaping and lighting improvements can be done at the same time to minimize the impact on the business.

10/21/16: The contractor is installing prime coat today from Ridgeland Avenue to Woodbine Avenue. The prime coat is used to help asphalt adhere during paving and may stick to tires, so drivers are encouraged to avoid the road if possible or drive slowly.

10/20/16: The contractor is installing prime coat today from Ridgeland Avenue to Austin Boulevard. The prime coat is used to help asphalt adhere during paving and may stick to tires, so drivers are encouraged to avoid the road if possible or drive slowly.

10/19/16: The contractor is installing prime coat today from Belleforte Avenue to Woodbine Avenue. The prime coat is used to help asphalt adhere during paving and may stick to tires, so drivers are  encouraged to avoid the road if possible or drive slowly.

10/12/16: Pavement milling is continuing today, with work taking place from Linden Avenue to Oak Park Avenue. Traffic will remain open in both directions. Engineering staff is also working with Holmes Elementary School to prepare for pavement grinding near the school on Oct. 13. Construction work will take place before drop-off and after pick-up hours to limit disruption to students. 

10/10/16: Pavement being milled today from Lombard to Ridgeland. Two-way traffic will remain open at all times. 

10/7/16: Pavement milling started today between Austin and Lombard. Engineering is coordinating with Whittier Elementary School to coordinate the school crossing at Harvey, as pavement milling will begin in that area Monday.

10/6/16: Pavement milling is scheduled to begin Friday starting at Austin Boulevard and progress to the west. Several blocks will be milled per day, with the process expected to take seven to eight days, weather permitting, to complete the entire stretch of Chicago Avenue.

10/3/16: Letters are being mailed today to residents on Chicago Avenue with instructions about leaf collection during construction. Last week work continued to focus on curbs and sidewalk crossings in preparation of repaving. Concrete curbs and sidewalk crossings were removed at spots where needed on the north side of Chicago Avenue between Euclid to Belleforte avenues to make way for new crossings that meet Americans with Disability Act standards. New concrete was poured at the southwest and southeast corners of Ridgeland Avenue. 

9/29/16: Sidewalk improvements at the northwest corner of Oak Park Avenue and Chicago Avenue is now complete. The northeast corner of Grove Avenue and Chicago Avenue and the northwest corner of Forest Avenue and Chicago Avenue is scheduled to be completed by Monday, Oct. 3, depending on weather conditions.

9/26/2016: Spot concrete curbs and sidewalk segments were removed for replacement on the north side of Chicago Avenue from Euclid Avenue to Austin Boulevard in preparation for paving by the state. Curbs also were removed and replaced on the southwest corner of Ridgeland Avenue. Staff also met with the organizers of the upcoming Frank Lloyd Wright Races to prepare for the event set for Oct. 23 since the course for the 10k passes the Home and Studio at Chicago and Forest avenues.

9/23/2016: Village staff sent letter to Holmes Elementary School parents to coordinate safe walking routes for students during upcoming sidewalk improvements. Beginning Monday, Sept. 26, and lasting for about 10 days, students traveling east on Chicago Avenue should first cross south on Keilworth Avenue with the crossing guard, then continue east on Chicago Avenue. At Oak Park Avenue there will be three corners available, allowing students to travel east-west and north-south. During this time, students should avoid the northwest corner at Chicago Avenue and Oak Park Avenue and the northeast corner of Chicago Avenue and Grove Avenue as these intersections are updated to comply with ADA standards.

9/21/2016: Today work continues on a water service repair at Chicago Avenue and Woodbine Avenue that is unrelated to the resurfacing project. Engineers are coordinating with Holmes Elementary School to allow traffic during pickup and dropoff hours. Elsewhere, concrete sidewalk corner repairs continue on the north side of Chicago Avenue from Elmwood to Linden, and the sidewalk on the southwest corner of Ridgeland Avenue is closed for brick replacement.

9/19/2016: In preparation for paving, concrete curb and sidewalk sections were removed on the south side of Chicago Avenue from Forest Avenue to Marion Street, the work progressing from the west. Crews already are backfilling and adding topsoil to areas where curbs and sidewalks have been replaced. Engineering Division staff is working with the crossing guards at the Oak Park intersection to ensure the safety of pedestrians traveling to and from school each morning and afternoon.

9/6/2016: Crews continue to remove and replace ADA corner-ramps and spot curb-gutters on the south side of Chicago Avenue going east from Oak Park Avenue. Both sides of the sidewalk adjacent to Holmes Elementary are open for walking between Forest and Grove avenues.

8/26/16 - The road closure between Forest and Grove avenues that has been in place since July for sewer main replacement has been lifted. Chicago Avenue is expected to remain open to traffic through the entire village during the resurfacing project, but motorists should expect periodic traffic disruptions. 

8/24/16 - Despite the rain, crews will be on site working on curb removal between Forest and Grove avenues today.

8/23/16 - Some curb and sidewalk removal began today between Forest and Grove avenues. Construction crews intend to have curbs and sidewalks replaced by the first day of school at Holmes Elementary School on Monday, Aug. 29.

8/22/16 - Tree protection and tree root pruning adjacent to areas where curbs are being replaced began today at some locations on Chicago Avenue.

8/15/16 - The General Contractor started onsite work today, consisting of ADA ramp layout and saw-cutting. Upon IDOT approval of the subcontractors, there will be increased activity later this week or beginning of next. The current road closure between Forest and Grove avenues is expected remain in place through next week.

8/12/16 - Sewer work on Chicago Avenue is winding down, with the street expected to reopen to traffic by the end of next week. Focus then will shift to the state resurfacing project, with some preliminary work and delivery of equipment and supplies already beginning. In the meantime, traffic detours via Division Street and Oak Park Avenue remain in place. While the paving project likely will create traffic disruptions along Chicago Avenue, the street will remain open.

News release: Chicago Avenue resurfacing to begin