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Post by title1parent on Feb 9, 2009 20:56:08 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1421441,Naperville--cameras-doing-jobs_na020909.article New cameras doing their jobsFebruary 9, 2009 By KATHY CICHON kcichon@scn1.com While many motorists traveling on Route 59 are seeing red, there are also many who are ignoring it. According to the city, a total of 813 warning citations were issued in January for Naperville's recently launched red-light camera operation, with an average of 27.1 citations per day. The 30-day warning period ended Jan. 31. "It seems to be in line with our original expectations," said Sgt. Lee Martin of the Naperville Police Department's traffic unit. Last month's data may not paint a completely accurate portrayal though, given the winter's extreme cold and heavy snowfalls, he said. "Traffic volumes were probably at a lull for part of that time, and people drive slower," Martin said. In late December, the city began operating the red-light enforcement program at Route 59 and North Aurora Road. The intersection is one of the most dangerous in the city and experiences a high number of right-turn accidents. On Feb. 1, the city began issuing $100 tickets to violators. So far, there is no data available for the number of citations issued in February, but Martin said, "It seems to be in line with what we've already gone through (in January)." Those who receive a citation can go online to view a 12-second video clip of the actual violation in addition to the still photos. "It usually explains a lot to a lot of people," Martin said. "You can see your violation before you make a decision to proceed." Motorists who are found in violation through an administrative hearing are required to pay their fine in addition to a $25 administrative hearing fee. A hearing can be requested in person or via writing. Otherwise, the recipient has 30 days to pay the fine. The city will begin holding administrative hearings April 18. The city anticipates the number of citations will drop as people become more aware of the cameras' presence. Studies show it usually decreases by 40 percent or more, Martin said. "It does what it's made to do, and corrects the behavior," he said.
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Post by title1parent on Feb 16, 2009 7:22:44 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1432929,2_1_AU16_ROUTE59_S1.article Are officials on the road to a Route 59 fix? State legislators are eager to work with Gov. Quinn on a major capital bill, aiming to gain $123 million for traffic-relief project February 16, 2009 By HANK BECKMAN For The Beacon News Shortly after winning election to the Illinois House in November, Naperville Republican Michael Connelly was being interviewed by Naperville Community Television along Route 59 just south of Diehl Road, a spot notorious for its congestion. As he talked to the reporter about the chances for a capital infrastructure bill to pass the new state legislature, passing drivers began honking their horns: first one, then another, until finally one frustrated truck driver leaned out of his cab and took his case directly to government. "Will you please fix this traffic?" the trucker begged Connelly as he sat idling in a sea of vehicles on Route 59. So, before he even took the oath of office, Connelly was coming face to face with an issue that has frustrated local officials for years: the difficulty of getting the state of Illinois to fund the expansion and improvement of Route 59 in the Aurora-Naperville area. But there's a new wrinkle this year: Legislators are hoping everyone can get along with new Gov. Pat Quinn long enough for Illinois to get badly needed capital spending legislation. The three-mile stretch of Route 59 from Ferry Road just north of I-88 down to Aurora Avenue/East New York Street continues to be one of the most congested spots in the metropolitan Chicago area. More than 50,000 vehicles use the road every day and cause a traffic bottleneck that produces in excess of 400 traffic accidents a year. The growth of the Naperville-Aurora-Plainfield region continues to place demands on Route 59 to accommodate the needs of not only the residents of the area, but the workforce of a local economy that has produced 135,000 jobs in the three cities alone. The fact that many commuters use the Route 59 Metra Station for access to downtown Chicago only makes matters worse. Already some options Expanding Route 59 has been on the Naperville city government's agenda for at least the last six years. In a study commissioned in 2003 by Chicago engineering firm Teng and Associates, the city took the initiative in addressing the problem. The study, slated to be finished in summer 2009, cost $1.13 million. A little more than $800,000 is coming from the Illinois Department of Transportation, with the remainder coming from the city of Naperville. The city's share of the bill was absorbed by grants from the Illinois Commerce Commission. The study has so far produced several preliminary suggestions. Among them are: • Adding three through lanes to the road. • Widening the Route 59 bridge over Interstate 88. • Reducing access from smaller side streets and driveways to reduce traffic flow onto Route 59. • Adding turn lanes to the I-88 intersection. The preliminary estimate for the cost of the needed improvements is $123 million. IDOT would be responsible for funding, with Naperville footing a small portion of the costs for intersection improvements. But IDOT has consistently maintained that its budget is depleted, and any funds for this project would have to come from a capital infrastructure bill. With the state Legislature unable to agree on capital spending during the course of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's time in office, the Route 59 plan has languished. Reason for hope Legislators now agree that prospects for Route 59 improvements -- and capital projects around the state -- have brightened considerably with Quinn taking over the reins of state government. Saying that he expected a "much stronger level of cooperation" with the new governor, Steve Brown, spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, said the financial situation of the state is fluid, with variables such as the federal stimulus bill and state deficits to consider. State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, said she was "definitely optimistic for the future" and expressed confidence that Madigan and new Senate President John Cullerton could work together with Quinn to pass a capital spending bill. State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, also was optimistic, saying "both parties badly need a capital bill" and alluded to the loss of federal funds if appropriations for the project are not agreed upon this year. Use it or ... The U.S. Department of Transportation has money available to provide matching funds for capital projects in Illinois, as long as the state provides the first 20 percent of the money needed for projects. But the agreement runs out Sep. 30, after which any arrangement on matching funds will have to be reauthorized. "If the Illinois Route 59 project does not get into this capital bill, it is for all intents and purposes dead for the next decade," said Marcie Schatz, director of Transportation, Engineering and Development for Naperville. "By that time, the preliminary engineering study nearing completion will be obsolete and will essentially need to be redone. The $1 million invested in this preliminary study will be wasted." Some are not willing to go that far. Holmes said she didn't know what would happen if the money didn't get spent, but that it "was an issue." New state Republican Rep. Darlene Senger, whose district covers the far East Side of Aurora and western Naperville, said "I'm not sure that that's the case." State Sen. Randy Hultgren, R-Wheaton, agreed with Senger, but maintained the "best chance to get it done is now." On the need for expanding Route 59, there is no disagreement. "It's not just Naperville that will be affected," said Naperville City Council member Bob Fieseler. "It's a regional issue that affects towns like Oswego, Plainfield and Shorewood ... they have no convenient north/south access except Route 59. It's (the traffic bottleneck) a stranglehold on growth." Senger said she is already being asked by party leadership to inventory projects that are "shovel-ready." She framed the issue as one of not only public safety and convenience, but economic development. "If we don't do some improvement, the businesses along Route 59 will suffer," she said.
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Post by title1parent on Feb 19, 2009 6:26:00 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1439141,2_1_AU19_TOLLWAY_S1.article Intermittent closures on Route 25 beneath tollway February 19, 2009 By MATT HANLEY mhanley@scn1.com Route 25 soon will be reduced to one lane near the Aurora-North Aurora border while construction crews begin taking down another part of the Interstate 88 bridge. Starting Tuesday, the two-lane road will be down to one lane between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., with flaggers alternately allowing traffic through in both directions, according to tollway spokesman Jan Kemp. Pending weather, Kemp said these lane closures are scheduled to continue daily, including weekends, through mid-March. There also will be occasional 15-minute all-lane closures to remove beams, Kemp said. The closures will give construction crews space to take apart sections of the tollway which eventually will become the westbound lanes of the bridge, Kemp said. This project is part of the tollway's rebuild and widening project that is shifting lanes and improving the road between Route 31 and Orchard Road, Kemp said. Last year, the eastbound lanes of the tollway were rebuilt. Now, all the traffic will be moved to those new lanes while the westbound lanes are finished, Kemp said.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 9, 2009 11:50:23 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaco....U030909.articleAURORA – Nicor workers are on the scene of a gas leak Monday morning at 1949 County Line Road near Diehl and Molitor roads on the far East Side, a Nicor spokesman said. Traffic is being blocked off in the east and west directions near the site, Aurora police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said. A construction crew hit a 2-inch main on the site Monday morning, according to a Nicor spokesman. A call was placed to Nicor at 8:33 a.m., and workers from the gas company are currently making repairs, said Richard Caragol of Nicor. No individuals had been evacuated as of 9:50 a.m.
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Post by title1parent on Apr 9, 2009 6:03:52 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1517748,Meeting-North-Aurora-Road-upgrade-na040809.article Meeting on North Aurora Road improvements plannedApril 9, 2009 From Staff Reports Long traffic delays, a lack of sidewalks and bad access from side streets have prompted leaders from Naperville, Aurora and Naperville Township to look for changes along North Aurora Road. Officials have suggested that widening and enhancing North Aurora Road from Frontenac Street near the Aurora-Naperville board east to Weston Ridge Drive, and widening and replacing the North Aurora Road underpass at the EJ&E/CN railroad tracks will alleviate much of the traffic crunch along the road, which is a primary connector between Naperville and Aurora. About 22,000 vehicles travel the road each day, officials said. The cities plan to discuss preliminary alignments for the road improvements at a public meeting from 4 to 7:30 p.m. April 23 at Longwood Elementary School, 30W240 Bruce Lane, Naperville. Officials said the changes will alleviate traffic congestion by adding an additional lane in both directions. In addition to widening the road, the possible installation of bicycle connections, pedestrian facilities, left and right turn lanes and storm water detention are also being studied. Representatives from the cities will be available at the meeting to answer questions. To download the exhibits that will be on display at the open house, or for more information on the project, visit www.naperville.il.us/nauroraimprovements.aspx or www.naperville.il.us/northauroraunderpass.aspx
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Post by warriorpride on Apr 9, 2009 6:41:54 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1517748,Meeting-North-Aurora-Road-upgrade-na040809.article Meeting on North Aurora Road improvements plannedApril 9, 2009 From Staff Reports Long traffic delays, a lack of sidewalks and bad access from side streets have prompted leaders from Naperville, Aurora and Naperville Township to look for changes along North Aurora Road. Officials have suggested that widening and enhancing North Aurora Road from Frontenac Street near the Aurora-Naperville board east to Weston Ridge Drive, and widening and replacing the North Aurora Road underpass at the EJ&E/CN railroad tracks will alleviate much of the traffic crunch along the road, which is a primary connector between Naperville and Aurora. About 22,000 vehicles travel the road each day, officials said. The cities plan to discuss preliminary alignments for the road improvements at a public meeting from 4 to 7:30 p.m. April 23 at Longwood Elementary School, 30W240 Bruce Lane, Naperville. Officials said the changes will alleviate traffic congestion by adding an additional lane in both directions. In addition to widening the road, the possible installation of bicycle connections, pedestrian facilities, left and right turn lanes and storm water detention are also being studied. Representatives from the cities will be available at the meeting to answer questions. To download the exhibits that will be on display at the open house, or for more information on the project, visit www.naperville.il.us/nauroraimprovements.aspx or www.naperville.il.us/northauroraunderpass.aspx I got excited about this until I read their literature and saw that the current projected year to begin construction was 2014 :-(
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Post by title1parent on Apr 10, 2009 7:08:21 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1520038,Tollway-closure-list-NA040909.article Tollway lane closure list for travelers April 10, 2009 Sun-Times News Group The Illinois Tollway is limiting temporary lane closures for construction projects over the Easter/Passover holiday weekend, but wants motorists to be aware of major changes in construction work zones that have recently been put into place throughout the system as Rebuild & Widen Projects begin the final season of construction. Motorists are reminded to allow extra time when driving through active construction areas on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294), the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), especially during the early spring months when road conditions can be impacted by snow and ice. Slower speeds in work zones are necessary due to shifts in traffic, narrow lanes or no shoulders. Motorists must still obey the construction zone speed limit of 45 m.p.h. as posted, even if no workers are present. Tri-State Tollway Drivers on the north end of the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294) between Grand Avenue and Half Day Road and between Lake Cook Road and Dempster Street are now shifted into a construction express lane configuration, with one northbound lane of traffic traveling in an express lane on the southbound side of the road in order to keep three lanes open during construction. Two local lanes are traveling on the median shoulder and left lane on the northbound side of the road. Traffic in the local lanes will have access to all exits. In the southbound direction between Touhy Avenue and Balmoral Avenue, traffic is shifted into an express lane configuration with one southbound lane traveling on the northbound side of the median, and two local lanes are traveling on the southbound median shoulder and left lane with a work zone on the right. Southbound traffic traveling in the express lane will not be able to exit until Irving Park Road. Traffic planning to exit at the I-90 interchange must stay in the local lanes. I-88 Two lanes in each direction are now traveling on new pavement on the eastbound side of the road between Orchard Road and the Aurora Toll Plaza as the westbound lanes are being rebuilt and widened. Three lanes of traffic are open in both directions in the section between Route 83 and York Road, where westbound traffic is shifted to the right and eastbound traffic is traveling on the westbound side of the median between Route 83 and 22nd Street. Traffic then shifts back to the eastbound side of the road from 22nd Street to York Road. All westbound and nearly all eastbound traffic is traveling on new pavement as work to rebuild and widen continues in a work zone on the eastbound side of the road. I-355 Southbound traffic is shifted to the left shoulder and two left-most lanes with a work zone on the right for a resurface and widen project. I-90 The ramp from westbound I-90 to southbound I-39/Route 51 is closed for the project to rebuild and reconfigure the Cherry Valley Interchange at I-90/I-39. A posted detour directs traffic from westbound I-90 to a new exit ramp at Irene Road to reach westbound Route 20, which allows drivers to travel the 3.5 miles to reach the I-39 Interchange. Drivers who want to reach the Chicago/Rockford International Airport and the city of Freeport should utilize the Irene Road detour to reach westbound Route 20. A long-term eastbound lane closure is in place between the South Beloit Toll Plaza and State Street/Business Route 20 for drainage work and barrier wall work necessary to prepare for an upcoming traffic shift that will move all traffic onto the eastbound side of the road. Eastbound traffic is shifted to the right shoulder and right lane with construction work in the center median.
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Post by title1parent on Apr 14, 2009 5:22:03 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1525407,2_1_AU14_TOLLWAY_S1.article Eola interchange work to start Wednesday April 14, 2009 By ANDRE SALLES asalles@scn1.com AURORA -- It's a day some thought would never come. On Wednesday, the Illinois Toll Highway Authority will officially break ground on the Eola Road interchange with Interstate 88. The ceremony comes less than a year after the tollway approved the $50 million project, which had been talked about and hashed over for more than a decade. The interchange is expected to relieve traffic congestion on Route 59, and also provide easier access to the tollway. A recent study commissioned by the city of Aurora showed an interchange at Eola bringing nearly 11,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in economic impact to the city by 2018. Wednesday's ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. on the Illinois Prairie Path, just north of I-88 and east of Eola Road. The interchange is on track to be completed by late 2009 or early 2010, city officials said.
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Post by title1parent on Apr 16, 2009 5:26:13 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1527635,Eola-interchange_AU041509.article Eola interchange to be done by year's end I-Pass onlyApril 16, 2009 By ANDRE SALLES asalles@scn1.com For more than a decade, local leaders have been talking about an interchange off of Interstate 88 at Eola Road in Aurora. In a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning, tollway officials made a promise -- the $50 million interchange will be finished this year. Construction will begin this month, and when completed, Eola Road will be the first in the system to be an I-Pass-only interchange. PROJECT TIMETABLE Proposed schedule for construction of the Eola Road interchange • April: I-88 mainline shoulder paving and roadway lighting work; utility relocation work on Diehl Road, Eola Road and Bilter Road. • Spring: Detour route for Prairie Path in place; mainline storm sewer work; construction of ramp pavement and toll plazas begins. • Summer: Bilter Road resurfacing; Diehl Road resurfacing, widening and median removal; intersection widening at Eola Road and Diehl Road. • Late fall: Prairie Path relocation complete. • By year end: Project complete. Source: Illinois Toll Highway Authority Speaking from a podium set up near the Illinois Prairie Path north of I-88 Wednesday, acting tollway Director Michael King officially launched the project, thanking the other governmental entities that helped fund it. Under an intergovernmental agreement signed last year, the tollway will pay up to $25 million of the project's cost. DuPage County will kick in up to $19 million, leaving the city of Aurora to acquire the land on which the interchange will be built. Aurora leaders closed on the last pieces of that property last year, for a total cost of $7.9 million. U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Geneva, worked to secure a $1 million grant for other infrastructure needs around the interchange. The new interchange will decrease congestion on Route 59, officials said, and will give those coming to and from Aurora new alternatives. With this interchange, there will be five access points onto I-88 from Aurora: Orchard Road, Route 31, Farnsworth Avenue, Route 59 and Eola Road. I-Pass-only The new interchange will also feature the tollway's first I-Pass-only toll collection system, for drivers entering eastbound and exiting westbound. Tollway spokesman Joelle McGinnis said Eola Road is the perfect place to try out this new system, since I-Pass usage in the Aurora area rises to 90 percent during rush hour. The tollway isn't taking anything away from cash users, McGinnis said, because they will still be able to access I-88 at Farnsworth Avenue and Route 59. McGinnis said the tollway does not know if I-Pass-only will someday become systemwide. Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner cited a study that shows economic development booming due to the interchange. That study predicts 10,000 new jobs in Aurora over the next 10 years, Weisner said. Not really on Eola Construction on the new interchange will begin this month with prep work on I-88. Traffic will be shifted onto the median shoulder and the two left lanes during this phase of the project. The Illinois Prairie Path will be relocated during construction. McGinnis expects a detour route to be in place before summer. Despite its name, the Eola Road interchange actually will not entail any on- or off-ramps on Eola Road. Westbound travelers will enter on Bilter Road to the north, while eastbound drivers will enter on Diehl Road to the south. This means that during the summer and fall portions of the project, traffic on those roads will be affected.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Apr 16, 2009 14:57:51 GMT -5
Naperville, Aurora look to improve North Aurora RoadBy Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 4/16/2009 12:22 AMSend To: Two projects are in the works to widen North Aurora Road to help ease congestion on the Naperville-Aurora border. The projects, which will take place just west of Route 59, include improvements to the railroad underpass but are still about five years away from becoming reality. "There's more traffic on the road than the existing two lanes can sufficiently handle," said Andy Hynes, project engineer for Naperville. "There's also not a lot of amenities in terms of pedestrian facilities. Especially with the underpass, it's difficult to navigate if you're not in a vehicle." North Aurora Road handles an average of 22,000 vehicles a day. Over the next 20 years, engineers predict that figure will reach nearly 30,000. The road not only connects Naperville and Aurora but also handles commuter traffic going to and from the Metra station just east of the proposed work site. The underpass project is a joint effort among Naperville, Aurora and Naperville Township and will affect the area between Pennsbury Lane and Frontenac Road. After receiving input from residents and businesses, city engineers have a preferred plan that would replace the bridge and increase its clearance, widen the roadway to four lanes, add a sidewalk and bike path, eliminate flooding problems and add lighting. Naperville already owns property next to the underpass that was intended to be used for the STAR Line, a proposed commuter railway between suburbs, and Hynes said the improvements also would add accessibility to the station if it comes to fruition. The underpass project is estimated to cost about $30 million and the cities are hoping for federal funding in addition to the local dollars. The widening project will take place adjacent the underpass project between Frontenac Road and Weston Ridge Drive and would be the responsibility of Naperville and Naperville Township. The plan calls for widening the road to four lanes, adding a permanent traffic signal at Genesee Drive, adding a shared use path and installing lighting. There are two alternatives for the widening project, the main difference being one would shift the roadway slightly south, according to Hynes. "There's only so much shifting of the roadway we can do from its current position without severe impacts to residential or commercial properties on both sides so we wanted to avoid that," he said. The widening project would likely cost about $4 million, but Hynes said that figure is very preliminary. It would mostly come from local funds such as road impact fees. The target construction date for the projects is 2013 or 2014, depending on how long it takes to get funding. Final plans still will need city council approval. In the meantime, there will be a public forum to view the proposals and provide input from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at Longwood Elementary School, 30W240 Bruce Lane, Naperville. For those who cannot attend, information is available at naperville.il.us/nauroraimprovements.aspx and comments can be directed to Hynes at (630) 548-2958 or hynesa@naperville.il.us. www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=286832&src=10
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Post by warriorpride on Apr 16, 2009 18:12:39 GMT -5
Naperville, Aurora look to improve North Aurora RoadBy Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 4/16/2009 12:22 AMSend To: Two projects are in the works to widen North Aurora Road to help ease congestion on the Naperville-Aurora border. The projects, which will take place just west of Route 59, include improvements to the railroad underpass but are still about five years away from becoming reality. "There's more traffic on the road than the existing two lanes can sufficiently handle," said Andy Hynes, project engineer for Naperville. "There's also not a lot of amenities in terms of pedestrian facilities. Especially with the underpass, it's difficult to navigate if you're not in a vehicle." North Aurora Road handles an average of 22,000 vehicles a day. Over the next 20 years, engineers predict that figure will reach nearly 30,000. The road not only connects Naperville and Aurora but also handles commuter traffic going to and from the Metra station just east of the proposed work site. The underpass project is a joint effort among Naperville, Aurora and Naperville Township and will affect the area between Pennsbury Lane and Frontenac Road. After receiving input from residents and businesses, city engineers have a preferred plan that would replace the bridge and increase its clearance, widen the roadway to four lanes, add a sidewalk and bike path, eliminate flooding problems and add lighting. Naperville already owns property next to the underpass that was intended to be used for the STAR Line, a proposed commuter railway between suburbs, and Hynes said the improvements also would add accessibility to the station if it comes to fruition. The underpass project is estimated to cost about $30 million and the cities are hoping for federal funding in addition to the local dollars. The widening project will take place adjacent the underpass project between Frontenac Road and Weston Ridge Drive and would be the responsibility of Naperville and Naperville Township. The plan calls for widening the road to four lanes, adding a permanent traffic signal at Genesee Drive, adding a shared use path and installing lighting. There are two alternatives for the widening project, the main difference being one would shift the roadway slightly south, according to Hynes. "There's only so much shifting of the roadway we can do from its current position without severe impacts to residential or commercial properties on both sides so we wanted to avoid that," he said. The widening project would likely cost about $4 million, but Hynes said that figure is very preliminary. It would mostly come from local funds such as road impact fees. The target construction date for the projects is 2013 or 2014, depending on how long it takes to get funding. Final plans still will need city council approval. In the meantime, there will be a public forum to view the proposals and provide input from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at Longwood Elementary School, 30W240 Bruce Lane, Naperville. For those who cannot attend, information is available at naperville.il.us/nauroraimprovements.aspx and comments can be directed to Hynes at (630) 548-2958 or hynesa@naperville.il.us. www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=286832&src=10 My comment is: start work on this TOMORROW, not in 5 years! They can construct the entire set of Eola/88 interchanges in 7 months, but we need to wait 5 years for conjestion relief on one of the major east/west arteries in Naperville/Aurora? Where's all of that Obama construction stimulus $?
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Post by steckdad on Apr 16, 2009 21:51:41 GMT -5
Naperville, Aurora look to improve North Aurora RoadBy Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 4/16/2009 12:22 AMSend To: Two projects are in the works to widen North Aurora Road to help ease congestion on the Naperville-Aurora border. The projects, which will take place just west of Route 59, include improvements to the railroad underpass but are still about five years away from becoming reality. "There's more traffic on the road than the existing two lanes can sufficiently handle," said Andy Hynes, project engineer for Naperville. "There's also not a lot of amenities in terms of pedestrian facilities. Especially with the underpass, it's difficult to navigate if you're not in a vehicle." North Aurora Road handles an average of 22,000 vehicles a day. Over the next 20 years, engineers predict that figure will reach nearly 30,000. The road not only connects Naperville and Aurora but also handles commuter traffic going to and from the Metra station just east of the proposed work site. The underpass project is a joint effort among Naperville, Aurora and Naperville Township and will affect the area between Pennsbury Lane and Frontenac Road. After receiving input from residents and businesses, city engineers have a preferred plan that would replace the bridge and increase its clearance, widen the roadway to four lanes, add a sidewalk and bike path, eliminate flooding problems and add lighting. Naperville already owns property next to the underpass that was intended to be used for the STAR Line, a proposed commuter railway between suburbs, and Hynes said the improvements also would add accessibility to the station if it comes to fruition. The underpass project is estimated to cost about $30 million and the cities are hoping for federal funding in addition to the local dollars. The widening project will take place adjacent the underpass project between Frontenac Road and Weston Ridge Drive and would be the responsibility of Naperville and Naperville Township. The plan calls for widening the road to four lanes, adding a permanent traffic signal at Genesee Drive, adding a shared use path and installing lighting. There are two alternatives for the widening project, the main difference being one would shift the roadway slightly south, according to Hynes. "There's only so much shifting of the roadway we can do from its current position without severe impacts to residential or commercial properties on both sides so we wanted to avoid that," he said. The widening project would likely cost about $4 million, but Hynes said that figure is very preliminary. It would mostly come from local funds such as road impact fees. The target construction date for the projects is 2013 or 2014, depending on how long it takes to get funding. Final plans still will need city council approval. In the meantime, there will be a public forum to view the proposals and provide input from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at Longwood Elementary School, 30W240 Bruce Lane, Naperville. For those who cannot attend, information is available at naperville.il.us/nauroraimprovements.aspx and comments can be directed to Hynes at (630) 548-2958 or hynesa@naperville.il.us. www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=286832&src=10 My comment is: start work on this TOMORROW, not in 5 years! They can construct the entire set of Eola/88 interchanges in 7 months, but we need to wait 5 years for conjestion relief on one of the major east/west arteries in Naperville/Aurora? Where's all of that Obama construction stimulus $? north aurora is just brutal in the evening rush hour. I avoid it at all costs. diehl is a million times faster. btw, that will be a real messy upgrade because the bridge for the train overpass will need to be demolished to make room for extra lanes.
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Post by warriorpride on Apr 16, 2009 22:27:02 GMT -5
My comment is: start work on this TOMORROW, not in 5 years! They can construct the entire set of Eola/88 interchanges in 7 months, but we need to wait 5 years for conjestion relief on one of the major east/west arteries in Naperville/Aurora? Where's all of that Obama construction stimulus $? north aurora is just brutal in the evening rush hour. I avoid it at all costs. diehl is a million times faster. btw, that will be a real messy upgrade because the bridge for the train overpass will need to be demolished to make room for extra lanes. They did something similar when they widened 59 to 4 lanes down to Plainfield. I think (2-lane) 59 was closed for something like 24 hours so that they could put whatever support structure in place that allowed the widening of the train underpass to be completed without needing to further impact traffic on 59.
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Post by title1parent on Apr 17, 2009 6:04:16 GMT -5
Naperville street closings:
Several Naperville streets will be closed Sunday, April 19, during the NCO Youth and Family Services Spring Ahead 5K and 10K Run. The street closures will be in effect from about 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Temporary closures include Ferry Road from City Gate to Raymond Drive (eastbound curb lane closure only), Raymond Drive from Ferry Road to Diehl Road (southbound curb lane closure only), Raymond Drive from Diehl Road to McDowell Road, Diehl Road from Raymond Drive to Wall Street and Westings Road from Route 59 to Comfort Drive. For more information, visit naperville.il.us/walkrun.aspx.
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Post by title1parent on Apr 18, 2009 7:45:08 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1531686,Route-31-ramp-closed-au041709.article Route 31 ramp to Interstate 88 will close through fallApril 18, 2009 By MATT HANLEY mhanley@scn1.com Work on the Fox River Bridge will close the Route 31 ramp onto Interstate 88 through the fall. According to the Illinois Tollway, the ramp that allows drivers to go from Route 31 to westbound lanes of I-88 (heading to DeKalb) will close at 5 a.m. Saturday. It will be closed at all times until construction is finished in the fall. A detour will be in place, directing traffic south on Route 31 to Indian Trail, then west on Indian Trail to Orchard Road, and north on Orchard to reach the westbound entrance ramp to I-88. A map of the detour route is available at www.illinoistollway.com. Go to "Project updates," then click on Interstate 88, then follow the Aurora Toll Plaza to Orchard Road link. This closure is part of several rebuilding and widening projects under way on a 23-mile stretch of the interstate between Oak Brook and North Aurora. The 2009 work involves three separate rebuilding and widening projects. All roadway work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009 as part of the Tollway's $6.3 billion congestion relief program.
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