All Four Lanes of Route 64 Open from 7th Avenue to Kirk in St. Charles

The city announced Thursday that all four lanes of East Main Street/Route 64 are open from 7th Avenue to Kirk Road as the massive, two-year-long road reconstruction project nears completion.

The same announcement advises residents to pencil in 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, on your calendars — that’s the date the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce is planning to hold a ribbon-cutting at Foxboro Plaza, 2400 E. Main St., to usher in the pending end of construction.

The stretch from 7th Avenue to Kirk Road is the western segment of the project, whose eastern leg, from 38th Avenue to Route 59, is scheduled for substantial completion by Oct. 1.

The city’s release states that the Illinois Department of Transportation has indicated that work on the western leg of the roadway is substantially complete. That means the contractor still must complete some items like landscaping, which may require occasional lane closures for a while.

Work on the reconstruction project began in April 2012. The scope of work included road resurfacing, installation of new traffic signals and lighting, and adding retaining walls, turn lanes, and public sidewalks. That included coordinating with the city and utility companies in terms of needed work on storm sewers, for example, natural gas lines and other types of infrastructure.

“We are so glad this project is finishing up so we can get back to business as usual along that strip of major roadway,” said Public Works Director Mark Koenen, who is taking on a new title — city administrator — as Brian Townsend leaves that role to become village manager in Schaumburg.

“We know it has been tough for businesses located in and around the construction,” Koenen said. “The city is running print, online and radio ads to let everyone know that construction is complete and to draw traffic back to those businesses.”

Chamber Slates Ribbon-Cutting

The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the ribbon-cutting — which is open to everyone — to celebrate the reopening of the road and create awareness.

“Our businesses are excited for residents to enjoy the newly paved roadway and increased ease of access to their businesses,”Chamber President and CEO Stacey Ekstrom said. “Please join us in celebrating the roadway expansion on Sept 12th.  We also look forward to the October completion when all our businesses will benefit.”