North Aurora Road Improvement Project
This project is expanding the roadway between Pennsbury Lane and Frontenac Road to accommodate two lanes of traffic in each direction as well as a center turn lane, multi-use trail and sidewalk, with lighting and drainage improvements and a sound wall. To accommodate the expanded roadway, the Canadian National/Wisconsin Central Railroad bridge over North Aurora Road will be improved/expanded as well.
The first phase to widen the road and add pedestrian and bicycle access was completed in 2023. The second phase to replace the roughly 110-year-old railroad bridge with a new structure that will span the newly expanded five roadway began in fall of 2025 and is anticipated to finish by late 2027, pending any unforeseen circumstances.
Current Updates
Updated March 12, 2026: North Aurora Road will be closed to all traffic in both directions between Pennsbury Lane and Frontenac Road for approximately four months beginning Tuesday, March 31, to accommodate utility work needed for roadway widening associated with the North Aurora Road Improvement Project. Pending weather and unforeseen circumstances, the road is expected to reopen by the end of July 2026.
Work during the closure will include relocating a large gas pipeline, moving ComEd distribution lines located in the middle of the roadway and reshaping the roadway to ensure there is enough space between the road and a temporary railroad bridge to allow for continued rail traffic during future stages of the project.
A detour will be in place directing motorists to use Diehl Road throughout the closure. Local traffic will be allowed on North Aurora Road between Route 59 and Frontenac Road and Eola Road and Pennsbury Lane. Access will also be maintained to businesses in the area, including the entrance to All Seasons Ice Rink, the Route 59 train station parking lot on the north side of the railroad tracks and the Illinois Air Team Vehicle Emission Testing station. Motorists should use caution, allow additional travel time, and follow the posted detour.
Construction of the temporary railroad bridge is anticipated to begin in late summer 2026. North Aurora Road is also expected to close again between Pennsbury Lane and Frontenac Road in fall 2026, pending any major timeline changes. Additional details about future closures, detours and traffic impacts will be shared in advance.
- North Aurora Road Project Team
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The North Aurora Road Project Team was created in 2024 and granted authority by the Naperville City Council, Aurora City Council, and Naperville Township Board to review and approve agreements for the North Aurora Road widening project.
- Project Timeline
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Improvement Phase 1: The first phase was conducted in partnership with the Naperville Township Road District which improved and widened the pavement between Fairway Drive and Frontenac Road. The scope of Phase 1 consisted of widening the existing three-lane road to accommodate two traffic lanes in each direction, with a center turn lane, multi-use trail and sidewalk, as well as a sound wall and improvements to roadway lighting and drainage. The first phase of work was completed in late summer 2023.
Improvement Phase 2: The second phase of work will improve the Canadian National/Wisconsin Central Railroad bridge over North Aurora Road in collaboration with the Naperville Township Road District and the City of Aurora (as each agency has jurisdiction over a portion of the roadway along this corridor). The scope of the project consists of replacing the roughly 110-year-old railroad bridge with a new structure that will span the newly expanded five traffic lanes on North Aurora Road, as well as the multi-use trail and sidewalk. In addition, roadway lighting, a pump station and increased vertical clearance will be provided. Construction on this phase began in fall of 2025 and is anticipated to finish by late 2027, pending any unforeseen circumstances.
- Project Background
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The City of Naperville began work in 2006 to secure funding to improve sections of North Aurora Road to reduce vehicle congestion and crashes and improve access for bicyclists and pedestrians in the area. North Aurora Road between Route 59 and Pennsbury Lane is a traffic bottleneck because it is the only remaining section of this corridor with a single lane for traffic in each direction for several miles on either side. Existing traffic already exceeds roadway capacity, and traffic is expected to grow to nearly 33,000 vehicles a day by 2040. The City is conducting this roadway improvement project in two phases, one to widen the road and add pedestrian and bicycle access, and another to replace a roughly 110-year-old railroad bridge in the project area.