A planned resurfacing of North Avenue through Oak Park and Chicago could begin next summer, almost two years earlier than expected, according to Oak Park Village Manager Cara Pavlicek.
The roadway, which is under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation, was expected to be resurfaced in 2023, but is likely to be bid out next spring, Pavlicek announced in her weekly report.
“The project includes resurfacing, corner sidewalk crossing ramp improvements and minor curb and pavement patching,” Pavlicek wrote in her Dec. 14 report. “IDOT is aware of the corridor planning studies sponsored by the village and Chicago Department of Transportation, but apparently has chosen to move forward due to the condition of the roadway and the risk of losing surface transportation funding should future budget shortfalls occur.”
The village of Oak Park and city of Chicago are reviewing the corridor with ongoing traffic safety and mobility studies, which are expected to lead to improvements approved by the municipalities.
As planned, North Avenue would be completely resurfaced between Harlem and Cicero avenues. The project could be put out for bid as soon as March, which could have construction starting next summer, Pavlicek said.
“IDOT will confirm the bidding schedule for the project after a January bid letting,” Pavlicek said. “Village engineers will update our capital improvement plan maps to show this project in 2021 and [will] coordinate with IDOT when the schedule is confirmed.”
Judith Alexander, chair of the North Avenue District, said the district is supportive of the project, but would have preferred to coordinate the IDOT resurfacing with its own streetscape project.
“We certainly support the project in that the roadway is very much in need of resurfacing and restriping,” Alexander said. “We also understand the importance of getting the project funded while a prime source of grant money is still available, but the timing also is regrettable because it will mean double disruption for our district. Ideally, resurfacing would be coordinated with construction of our streetscape, which is a few years away. Then there would only be one period of disruption.”
Alexander also worries about potential “wasteful spending” as the improved crossing ramps will likely need to be removed during a streetscape project.
“[The streetscape will] call for curb extensions to make our district more pedestrian friendly, and to discourage speeding by slightly narrowing the roadway,” Alexander said.
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @steveschering
