Delays Expected as Construction Activity Increases on Route 59 Expansion Project

The following information comes from a city of Naperville press release. 

Construction activity on the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Route 59 Expansion Project is expected to increase the week of April 21 as contractors begin the next phase of the multi-year project.

Although work on the project has continued through the winter months with some lane closures and corresponding impacts to traffic flow, this next phase will produce significant delays which have not been experienced so far by motorists. 

This phase of work along the three-mile stretch of road will require reducing traffic to one lane in both directions underneath the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway from North Aurora Road to Glacier Park Avenue/Meridian Parkway until this fall. 

Lane reductions will also be implemented at intersections along the corridor, resulting in significant delays to east-west travel along impacted local streets, including Aurora Avenue/New York Street, Jefferson Avenue/Liberty Street, North Aurora Road and Diehl Road.

Those traveling along Route 59 or through any of the adjacent intersections slated for improvement can expect long delays, and motorists should allow more time for traveling in the area or adjust their routes if possible to avoid high-congestion areas. 

To ensure the safety of motorists and construction workers, the Naperville Police Department will also be increasing enforcement in the area to ensure motorists are not talking on hand-held cell phones in the construction zone. Violations of this law will result in a minimum first-time fine of $75. Police will also be issuing tickets for construction zone speeding, which carries a minimum first-time fine of $375, and for blocking the intersections, an action which can result in a $120 ticket. Police will also be strictly enforcing the speed limit along the corridor and in adjacent neighborhoods.

Roadway construction on the Route 59 Expansion Project began in August 2013. 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. 

Improvements include widening the road to three lanes in each direction, adding new turn lanes and extending existing turn lanes, restricting or eliminating access from smaller side streets and driveways to improve traffic flow and installing sidewalks and bike paths wherever practical. 

The project also includes the implementation of an innovative diverging diamond configuration on the bridge over Interstate 88 that will enhance safety and traffic flow.

The project limits include 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. Construction is expected to be complete in 2015. For additional information, visit the project webpage at www.naperville.il.us/route59expansion.aspx.

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.