Move over, groundhog. The new harbinger of spring is construction season, and in Naperville it starts March 1.
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Drivers can expect changing traffic patterns in coming weeks as the city’s central business district readies for the start of a long-awaited downtown street and sidewalk improvement project.
Construction is scheduled to run March 1 to Aug. 26 along Main and Webster streets between Jackson and Jefferson avenues, Jefferson Avenue between Webster and Main streets, and Jackson Avenue between Webster and Washington streets.
The work above and below ground entails removing and replacing water mains and service lines, pavement, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, brick pavers and streetlights.
Also included will be the addition of new raised planters, streetscape furniture and landscaping.
Bill Novack, the city’s Transportation, Engineering and Development director, said in a memo to the Naperville City Council that the project will force the closure of portions of the streets in phases.
Through the duration of the construction, pedestrians will have access to all buildings and temporary traffic control modifications will be implemented to allow for deliveries to businesses, Novack said.
On Tuesday, the council is expected to hire Addison-based R.W. Dunteman Co. to perform the work at a cost of $4.9 million, which is 5% lower than the engineer’s estimate of $5.1 million.
The $4.9 million expense will be shared between the city and property owners in the construction area.
Naperville will pay for 60% and the remaining 40% will be reimbursed to the city through a special tax added to property tax bills over the next 15 years.
Street enhancements originally were scheduled to start in spring 2020 but had to be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. When the city announced the work would proceed in November 2020, business owners asked it be pushed back again so holiday shopping and dining wouldn’t be disrupted.
Recognizing the roadwork will affect businesses and the community’s ability to get around, Naperville is offering the contractor motivation to finish the job ahead of schedule.
Besides the Aug. 26 completion date, Novack said the contract includes milestone dates for the contractor to finish and open the road to traffic.
Up to $75,000 in incentives are available if deadlines are met.
If the work is finished after the date, disincentives may apply, and Novack said there is no cap for those.
Besides the effect on the central business district, the city also wants the work done before the replacement of the Washington Street bridge begins later in the year.
A reconstructed Main Street is slated as an alternate route to Washington Street, which will be limited to one lane in each direction once the bridge work starts.