Politics & Government

Route 64 Work Advances Toward Winter Shutdown

St. Charles Public Works Engineering Manager James Bernahl offers an update on what's been going on this week and what's expected in the next week.

For many residents and businesses on the East Side of St. Charles, this week marked in ernest the countdown to a lull in construction along East Main Street/Route 64.

That lull is due to begin at mid-month and last until February-March. Meantime, commuters are waiting to find out how the pause in construction will affect their drive times, while businesses along the thoroughfare are wondering precisely how their customers will be able to see and access their shops.

Here’s a rundown from St. Charles Public Works Engineering Manager James Bernahl on what’s been done along Route 64 this week and what’s anticipated in the week ahead:

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7th Street to 7th Avenue:

Work continued with the replacement of traffic signals, installation of new pedestrian countdown signals, use of LED components to save on energy costs, and improved traffic signal interconnect to improve traffic flow. Bernahl writes that work is completed on all upgrades between 7th Street and the Fox River. Work between Riverside Drive and 7th Avenue will be completed by Nov. 9, 2012.

Commuters can expect periodic daytime lane closures during some construction activities, he writes. All lanes of traffic are expected to reopen at the end of the normal business day.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

7th Avenue to Route 59:

Temporary movement restrictions and road closures may be put into place by the St. Charles Police Department as to improve travel times and overall safety. This Illinois Department of Transportation contract has been designed in two stages, but often is discussed as one large project.

Residents and local businesses with questions or concerns about specific site issues are advised to call IDOT Resident Engineer Dave Cuthbertson at the IDOT Field Office at 1-630-549-0768.

Weekly updates and information are also available on the city of St. Charles website at http://www.stcharlesil.gov/projects/construction/64-kautz-59.

General Outlook

Both the west and east construction projects are on schedule and construction activities should be completed on the anticipated schedule.

East Side: 38th Avenue to Route 59

Storm sewer upgrades are complete at the intersection of Kautz/Smith Road and East Main Street.

Concrete pavement is scheduled to be poured on the south side of East Main Street from the new bridge west toward the airport entrance on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.

The placement of aggregate base material is scheduled to continue all next week on both the north and south sides of East Main Street from Kautz Road to Powis Road. Once the aggregate capping has been completed, an asphalt layer will be placed on top in preparation for the new concrete roadway. Placement of the concrete roadway is not expected to begin until the week of Nov. 13.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, fine grading and the placement of an aggregate capping material on the northeast side of the bridge will begin in preparation for replacing the new roadway approaches to the bridge.

The bridge contractor will continue to install reinforcement materials for the south side of the Powis Bridge. The eastbound southern section of the bridge deck is expected to be placed beginning Monday, Nov. 11, 2012. This work is expected to be completed in two days. Then the deck will be allowed to cure to reach strength.

West Side: 7th Avenue to Kirk Road

The contractor is expected to continue with excavating for the new roadway widening on the south side of East Main Street from 13th Avenue toward Dunham Road and then continue placing aggregate material for the sub-base of the new roadway widening.

At the same time, work has continued on installation of new curbing along the south side of the road. Much of it has been installed, but small sections and driveway aprons will be restored. Work is expected to be completed by Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2012. The same work is expected to continue on the south side between Tyler Road and Fieldgate Drive, with work to be done by Monday, Nov. 10, 2012.

The contractor also has begun excavating and placing concrete materials for the new public sidewalk from 7th Avenue to Tyler Road. This work is expected to continue moving eastward, and is scheduled to be completed before the Nov. 15, 2012, winter shutdown period.

In preparation for the winter shutdown conditions, the contractor will continue to place temporary aggregate material in designated locations as well as winter notification signs. This material will be placed throughout the project limits to ensure safety and accessibility through the winter months. This work is expected to be ongoing until the anticipated Nov. 15, 2012 winter shutdown period.

Some Work to Continue in Winter

It is anticipated that by Nov. 16, 2012, four lanes of traffic through this corridor will be reopened to the public for the winter shutdown period.

The Contractor wis expected to continue with the installation of electrical improvements through the winter months as weather permits. No permanent lane closures are expected as part of this work, but motorists may see random daily lane closures at various locations within the job site. The completion of this work during the winter months will help to expedite the roadway replacement work in 2013.

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