Last Week's Rains Slow Down Route 64 Construction Work

This week’s update on the East Main Street/Route 64 Reconstruction may bear a resemblance to last week’s, largely because last week’s rains slowed progress a bit, although it’s still on schedule.

James Bernahl, the city’s Public Works Engineering Division manager, said in his weekly emailed update to residents and area businesses about the project.

“Although I am sure that the vegetation is loving all of this extra water, it hasn't been a friend to us on the construction side,” he wrote. “The construction project is still on schedule, so let's hope for some warmer weather and clear skies.

“Due to weather conditions most of the proposed work activities for the week of April 8, 2013 have been delayed and rescheduled for this upcoming week,” his update states.

38th Avenue to Route 59

Crews will continue installing new concrete pavement on the west side of Smith Road and Kautz Road near East Main Street. Once the concrete roadway has cured, traffic will be shifted as concrete work starts on the east side. The new concrete roadway will need to cure for at least 10 days before traffic can be shifted.

Work will continue to break and remove some of the remaining roadway sections over the coming few weeks in advance of the placement of a new concrete roadway on East Main Street.

The installation of a new storm sewer is expected to begin across Powis Road. The Illinois Department of Transportation intends to reopen the full Powis Road intersection as quickly as possible.

For the next five months, construction related to the new bridge near Powis Road will continue until completed by mid-July. Work activities are focused on the center lanes of the bridge with traffic being diverted to the new outside lanes.

7th Avenue to Kirk Road

Crews will continue installing new concrete pavement on the north side of East Main Street near 7th Avenue and East Main Street and progressing eastward. Work will include improving storm sewers within the IDOT right of way.

The contractor will continue with curb installation work on East Main Street between Tyler Road and Kirk Road. Included with this concrete work will be permanent concrete patching for the proposed roadway widening.

Storm sewer improvements will continue over the next few months on the north side of East Main Street from 7th Avenue to 13th Avenue, progressing toward Dunham Road.

Pavement grinding and removal work will continue for the coming few weeks, focusing mainly on the north side of East Main Street from 7th Avenue toward Kirk Road.