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Officials: Lake Street in downtown Oak Park could reopen to traffic this week

Steve Schering / Pioneer Press
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Work continues on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.
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Drivers and pedestrians should get a break this week as a key section of Lake Street in downtown Oak Park is expected to reopen.

According to village manager Cara Pavlicek, final asphalt surface has been placed on Lake Street between Harlem and Forest avenues, and the roadway is expected to reopen to traffic by Friday, barring any unexpected delays.

In April, crews closed Lake Street in downtown Oak Park to begin work on the streetscape and resurfacing project, which appeared to be nearing completion Tuesday morning. Work crews could be seen cutting and placing final bluestone sidewalk pavers in the area and laying irrigation systems inside the plant beds. Officials say 48 new trees have been planted in the downtown area as part of the project.

Workers cut bluestone pavers at the intersection of Lake and Marion streets in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.
Workers cut bluestone pavers at the intersection of Lake and Marion streets in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.

The Forest Avenue and Marion Street intersection is already open to north-south traffic, and crews are set to install pavement markings and seal the pavement surface this week, Pavlicek said in her weekly report.

Crews are also expected to complete installation of the remaining bluestone pavers, light poles and irrigation drip lines in that area, Pavlicek said.

With work in downtown Oak Park wrapping up, construction crews will shift to the east into the Hemingway business district between Oak Park and Euclid avenues after Labor Day.

The Hemingway district work will require the removal of the outdoor dining areas before construction begins. Business owners previously asked the village to pursue a fall completion of the project, which allowed them additional time with the temporary outdoor dining space.

Work on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project continues in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.
Work on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project continues in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.

Further east, Pavlicek said sewer manholes are being repaired from Ridgeland Avenue to Austin Boulevard, but that work is not expected to affect the new pavement. Landscaping for the Lake Street project is expected to follow in September, Pavlicek said.

The $15 million project includes $3 million in federal funds, and includes the resurfacing of the entirety of Lake Street from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard. The entire project is expected to be substantially completed by Thanksgiving.

More information about the project is available at www.betterlakestreet.com.

sschering@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @steveschering

Work continues on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.
Work continues on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.
Work continues on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.
Work continues on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.
Work on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project continues in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.
Work on the Lake Street resurfacing and streetscape project continues in downtown Oak Park on Sept. 1. With final pavement being laid, officials hope the roadway between Harlem and Forest avenues can reopen to traffic by the end of the week.

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