Construction activity on the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Rt. 59 Expansion Project is expected to increase the week of April 21 as contractors begin the next phase of the multi-year project.
Although work on the project has continued through the winter months with some lane closures and corresponding impacts to traffic flow, this next phase will produce significant delays which have not been experienced so far by motorists.
This phase of work along the three-mile stretch of road will require reducing traffic to one lane in both directions underneath the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway from North Aurora Rd. to Glacier Park Ave./Meridian Pkwy until this fall. Lane reductions will also be implemented at intersections along the corridor, resulting in significant delays to east-west travel along impacted local streets, including Aurora Ave./New York St., Jefferson Ave./Liberty St., North Aurora Rd. and Diehl Rd.
Those traveling along Rt. 59 or through any of the adjacent intersections slated for improvement can expect long delays, and motorists should allow more time for traveling in the area or adjust their routes if possible to avoid high-congestion areas.
To ensure the safety of motorists and construction workers, the Naperville Police Department will also be increasing enforcement in the area to ensure motorists are not talking on hand-held cell phones in the construction zone. Violations of this law will result in a minimum first-time fine of $75. Police will also be issuing tickets for construction zone speeding, which carries a minimum first-time fine of $375, and for blocking the intersections, an action which can result in a $120 ticket. Police will also be strictly enforcing the speed limit along the corridor and in adjacent neighborhoods.
Roadway construction on the Rt. 59 Expansion Project began in August 2013. As a vital transportation link to the entire region, the Illinois Rt. 59 corridor is being expanded so that safety and traffic flow can be improved for Naperville’s residents, visitors and commuters. Improvements include widening the road to three lanes in each direction, adding new turn lanes and extending existing turn lanes, restricting or eliminating access from smaller side streets and driveways to improve traffic flow and installing sidewalks and bike paths wherever practical.
The project also includes the implementation of an innovative diverging diamond configuration on the bridge over I88 that will enhance safety and traffic flow.
The project limits include Ferry Rd. to Aurora Ave./New York St. as well as improvements to the major intersections within that three-mile corridor, including Diehl Rd., North Aurora Rd. and Aurora Ave./New York St. Construction is expected to be complete in 2015. For additional information, visit www.naperville.il.us/route59expansion.aspx.