City Continues to Pave Way for Major Route 59 Improvements, Expansion

Naperville City Council paved the way to make major improvements to a three-mile stretch of Route 59 Tuesday. 

Earlier: Readers React: Does Route 59 Need Improvements?

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Council members approved about $1.6 million in funds for the city's share of a specific portion of the project, which includes constructing five retaining walls as well as electrical ducts along the road. 

The project, which will be conducted by the Illinois Department of Transportation, will widen the heavily-traveled corridor to three lanes in both directions from Ferry Road to Aurora Avenue/New York Street. Sidewalks, a shared-use path, noise walls and the reconfiguration of the Interstate 88 interchange will also be constructed.

Three additional contracts to move the project along will be voted on at an upcoming City Council meeting. Main construction work for the Route 59 expansion project is expected to begin in spring 2013 and continue throughout 2014. 

During Tuesday night's City Council meeeting, Councilman Bob Fieseler said the city will finally have some "relief on Route 59," once the project is completed. 

“This is probably one of the biggest public works projects that this town will see for this decade,” he said. 

While the improvements will increase traffic flow and safety along Route 59, some businesses may be effected as access to smaller side streets and driveways will be restricted during construction. 

IDOT and city officials plan to meet with buisness owners to discuss the project before major construction begins. The city of Naperville will also keep drivers notified on construction work on their website.

Shoppers and commuters may have already noticed some work being done on Route 59 in recent months. Last August, IDOT crews removed trees along the roadway as well as in preparation for the lane widening project.