www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1752001,Route-59-relief-in-sight_na090309.article
Route 59 relief in sightSeptember 4, 2009
By KATHY CICHON kcichon@scn1.com
In a few years, the unofficial parking lot known as Route 59 in rush hour — or just about any other time of day — could be a thing of the past.
Plans to widen the state highway, detailed in a recently completed engineering study, aim to alleviate traffic congestion and improve traffic safety.
"These improvements that are proposed really address the feedback we've been given," said Jennifer Louden, project engineer with the city of Naperville. "We've really involved a lot of stakeholders in the project."
While the actual construction work is not expected to begin until 2012, work continues on the expansion project. The next step is a public hearing, hosted by Naperville and the Illinois Department of Transportation, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Hill Middle School, 1836 Brookdale Road in Naperville.
"It's the culmination of all the public involvement we've done to date," Louden said.
Officials will present the results of the engineering study in an open house format featuring various stations to address the different parts of the design, Louden said. The public will be able to ask questions and provide feedback. Written comments will be taken, and a recorder will be available for verbal statements as well, she said. Those who would like to submit comments via e-mail can send them to Louden at loudenj@naperville.il.us.
"The biggest thing that people address is the traffic congestion and the safety," Louden said. "The project as a whole is really good at addressing that."
The work area stretches 3 miles, from Aurora Avenue/New York Street to Ferry Road, an area that sees more than 50,000 vehicles per day. The project will create three through lanes for both northbound and southbound traffic.
While the existing roadway alignment will be maintained for most of the project, two areas will be realigned. Aurora Avenue to the BNSF viaduct will maintain the existing location of the northbound lanes and widen the roadway to the west for the third southbound lane. The viaduct itself will not be modified.
Paxton Drive to McDowell Road will see the roadway widened to the east and maintain the existing curb line to the west in order to minimize impact on the residential properties. The bridge over I-88 will be widened to include a third through lane in both directions, and turn lanes will be added at the interchange ramps.
"We do see it as a regional benefit that doesn't just benefit the city of Naperville, but also the city of Aurora," said Eric Gallt, city traffic engineer for Aurora.
A barrier median will restrict the number of unsignalized median openings to improve traffic flow along Route 59 and create safer access points to various locations along the corridor. The goal is to eliminate the hazards of someone turning left onto Route 59 across six lanes of traffic.
"If you're trying to turn left out of some place, that's a lot of lanes to cross," Louden said.
But at least one of those access point modifications concerns Aurora officials.
"The current plan does restrict some access that exists today," Gallt said.
Access from Yorkshire Shopping Center, in Aurora on the northwest corner of Route 59 and New York Street, will be changed to right-in, right out.
"This is an area of concern for the city," Gallt said.
The Aurora Economic Development Commission is trying to make sure business owners in the area are aware of the plans, he said.
Overall, Gallt called the project design a "well-done plan" that will benefit the city through its commercial properties. Over the years Aurora has heard from commercial property owners that gridlock in the area of Route 59 and Aurora Avenue/New York Street has impacted business.
"The congestion was so bad (customers) were avoiding it," Gallt said.
Aurora, he said, has been supportive of Naperville and IDOT's efforts to secure funding to move the project forward.
In July, Gov. Pat Quinn signed the $31 billion state capital plan. Included in that is $125 million for the remaining phases of the Route 59 expansion. This includes the preparation of construction documents, land acquisition and the construction itself. The construction work — slated for 2012 — is expected to take a couple of years to complete, Louden said.
Other facets of the project include filling in the existing gaps in sidewalk along the Route 59 project area. "Sidewalk will be installed along both sides of Route 59 for the length of the project," Louden said.
The exception is the area under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe viaduct. There, sidewalk will be installed only on the west side of the road.
Crosswalks, ADA-compliant ramps with detectable warnings, pedestrian signals and push buttons also will be in place.
Also as part of the project, noise walls ranging from 12 to 13 feet in height will be placed at seven locations along the construction corridor.