Route 59 Closures Coming Jan. 25, Jan. 26

Illinois Route 59 will be temporarily closed in both directions between Jefferson and Aurora avenues for intermittent times during the weekend of Jan. 25 to accommodate utility work that is being performed in conjunction with the Route 59 Expansion Project.

The short-term, intermittent closures are expected to take place overnight Saturday, Jan. 25 to Sunday, Jan. 26, pending weather and unforeseen circumstances. A detour will be posted directing all motorists to use Ogden Avenue via North Aurora Road and Aurora Avenue. Local traffic will be permitted on Route 59 between North Aurora Road and Jefferson Avenue. A map of the posted detour is available, a press release from the city states..

The City of Naperville’s Electric Department contractor, Michels Power Corp., will be removing and installing overhead electrical lines that cross Route 59 which necessitates the closure of the highway for brief periods of time as work is being performed.

Also as part of the expansion project, access to LaSalle Avenue to and from Route 59 is expected to close Thursday, January 23 for approximately one to two weeks for utility work associated with the Route 59 Project. Local traffic on LaSalle Avenue will be maintained by using Bond Street.

As a vital transportation link to the entire region, the Illinois Route 59 corridor is being expanded so that safety and traffic flow can be improved for Naperville’s residents, visitors and commuters, the press release states.

The Route 59 Expansion Project includes Ferry Road to Aurora Avenue/New York Street as well as improvements to the major intersections within that three-mile corridor, including Diehl Road, North Aurora Road and Aurora Avenue/New York Street.

The roadway will be widened to three lanes in each direction, additional turn lanes will be added and existing turn lanes will be extended, access from smaller side streets and driveways will be restricted or eliminated to improve traffic flow and sidewalks and bike paths will be installed wherever practical.

The project includes the implementation of an innovative diverging diamond configuration on the bridge over Interstate 88 that will enhance safety and traffic flow. Construction began in August 2013 is expected to be complete in 2015. For additional information, visit the project webpage.

While the Illinois Route 59 Expansion Project is a state-led initiative, the City of Naperville has been very involved in the project since its conception and is taking proactive approaches to keep residents, motorists and others informed about how the project will affect them. The city is working closely with IDOT and surrounding townships and cities affected by the project to ensure the public is informed and the project is successful. Schedule changes, impacts to the public, and other information will be posted on a regular basis to the

City’s project webpage, the Route 59 eNewsletter and Road Closure and Construction Alerts eNewsletter and in the local media whenever possible.