Nov. 11 Ribbon-Cutting Set for East Main/Route 64 Completion

The East Main Street/Route 64 reconstruction is complete and all four lanes are open from St. Charles to West Chicago, so the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce plans to celebrate — with a Nov. 11 ribbon-cutting.

The ceremony is scheduled two months after the completion of the first phase of the massive reconstruction of East Main Street/Route 64. The Illinois Department of Transportation began work on the project in April 2012, and the first phase, from 7th Avenue to Kirk Road, was completed in late August. Work on the eastern portion — or Phase 2, from Kirk Road to Route 59, was expected to be complete by late October.

The city issued a release Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, announcing that all four lanes of traffic had reopened along Route 64. Drivers still may see occasional lane closures, however, as landscaping work and other final restoration activities are completed.

The substantial completion of the project comes just in time as local merchants start gearing up for the coming holiday season.

According to the release, the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the conclusion of the last phase of construction. All are invited to attend.

The ceremony is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, at Culver’s, 4068 E. Main St.

“We are excited to celebrate the completion of the second phase of the Route 64/East Main Street construction,” St. Charles Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Stacey Ekstrom said in a release. “Business owners on the East Side have been patient with the construction because they understand the long-term impact of the project, but the look on their faces indicate both relief and anticipation of what is to come for their businesses as this major corridor is opened to full capacity once again.”

The reconstruction project also served to widen and resurface East Main Street/Route 64, as well as to install new traffic signals and lighting, and to add  retaining walls, turn lanes, and public sidewalks.

“The project, while much needed, disrupted business along Route 64/East Main Street in St. Charles for some time,” City Administrator Mark Koenen said in the release. “Now the new road, with the addition of turn lanes, sidewalks, and a new surface, will make it easier than ever for people to visit businesses along that route — and just in time for holiday shopping.”

According to the release, the city is continuing its print, online and radio ads to let everyone know that construction is complete.

The release stated that information about the ribbon-cutting event can be obtained by contacting the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce at 630-584-8384.