Naperville officials have postponed construction on the downtown Washington Street streetscape project until 2024.
According to a memo from the city’s director of transportation, engineering and development, the delay is needed because of “design complications due to the location of existing utilities.”
“The design of the improvements has been more challenging than initially anticipated. Due to some of the existing utilities complicating the staging and lane closures for construction, more design time is needed,” a notice on the city’s website states. “To ensure all work is completed within one construction season, the city has concluded that waiting to start at the beginning of the 2024 construction season is best.
The city expects the project will go out to bid in fall 2023 with construction starting in late February or early March 2024.
Because reconstruction of the Washington Street bridge will take two years, streetscape work will take advantage of lane closures in 2024.
Staff and a consultant reviewed different options to allow a July 2023 start, including completing necessary utility work this year and roadway and streetscape work in 2024.
The first phase of the project included improvements to sections of Webster, Jefferson, Main and Jackson streets.
The second phase of the project will rebuild Washington Street between Chicago Avenue and Benton Avenue and the east side of Main Street just south of Van Buren Avenue. Construction will include utility repair and upgrades, streetscape modernization, and complete road reconstruction. These updates are needed to improve pedestrian mobility, accessibility, and safety in this area. There are no proposed changes to the parking along Washington Street.
