Downtown Streetscape Improvements
Phase 2 Postponed
The second phase of the Downtown Streetscape Project has been postponed until spring 2024.
The design of the improvements has been more challenging than initially anticipated. Due to some of the existing utilities complicating the staging and lane closures for construction, more design time is needed. To ensure all work is completed within one construction season, the city has concluded that waiting to start at the beginning of the 2024 construction season is best.
The City anticipates that the project will go out to bid in fall 2023 with construction starting in late February or early March 2024.
Ongoing improvements in Downtown Naperville are part of the multi-year Downtown: Progress in Progress initiative that focuses on continued growth and improvements to enhance the pedestrian experience, improve compliance with accessibility requirements, reconstruct the roadways and repair and replace utilities in the downtown area.
The first phase of the project, which included improvements to sections of Webster, Jefferson, Main and Jackson streets, is in the final stages and, pending weather or material delivery delays, should be completed by the end of November.
The proposed second phase of the project aims to rebuild Washington Street between Chicago Avenue and Benton Avenue and the east side of Main Street just south of Van Buren Avenue. The construction, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring 2024, includes utility repair and upgrades, streetscape modernization, and complete road reconstruction. These updates will improve pedestrian mobility, accessibility, and safety in this area. There are no proposed changes to the parking along Washington Street.
- Current Updates
-
Phase Two: Construction to rebuild Washington Street between Chicago Avenue and Benton Avenue and the east side of Main Street just south of Van Buren Avenue is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring 2024.
In preparation for this work, a City contractor will be performing rehabilitation on sanitary sewer lines along Washington Street from Benton to Jackson Avenues from Jan. 30 through the end of March. The work will take place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday to minimize traffic disruption. It may require lane reductions at times.
- Public Involvement
-
TED staff, along with the project consultant Civiltech Engineering, Inc., hosted a public input session on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 to share preliminary design options for the second phase of the project and allow businesses and residents to provide feedback on their preferred design.
- Project Phases
-
Phase One (March - November 2022): Phase one of the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Project included improvements on Jefferson Avenue between Main and Webster streets and Main Street between Jackson and Jefferson avenues.
Phase Two (Spring 2024): The proposed second phase of the project aims to rebuild Washington Street between Chicago Avenue and Benton Avenue and the east side of Main Street just south of Van Buren Avenue. The construction, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring of 2024, includes utility repair and upgrades, streetscape modernization, and complete road reconstruction to improve pedestrian mobility, accessibility, and safety in this area. There are no proposed changes to the parking along Washington Street.
- Impact
-
These improvements will be phased to minimize disruption to the downtown business district and nearby residents. Information about specific impacts will be forthcoming when the design plan and timeline are finalized.