Route 59 Widening, Improvements on Track to Begin this Summer

A major expansion project for Route 59 is on track to begin this summer, city officials said during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

The project 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.

Main north and south lane roadwork will cost the city about $2.2 million. In May, council members approved an additional $1.6 million in funds for a separate portion of the project, which included constructing five retaining walls as well as electrical ducts along the road.

Additional contracts for the project will be bid on this summer.

While the end result will shave travel times and relieve congestion at major intersections along Route 59 such as Diehl Road and Route 59, the construction itself will cause a headache for drivers.

"It will have a significant impact," said Bill Novak, Transportation, Engineering and Development director. "People are going to have to budget more time to move north/south through the area and plan accordingly."

Some businesses along Route 59 may also be effected as access to smaller side streets and driveways will be restricted during construction. IDOT and city officials plan to meet with business 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.

Construction is expected to begin in August and will take two years to complete.

Patch readers reacted to news of the improvements on Naperville Patch's Facebook page. Here's what they had to say:

I'd rather have a wasps nest dropped on my head than drive on 59 during evening rush hour. - Nick

I travel from Plainfield/South to Naperville and back often for my job. Always avoid 59 when I can! - Emilie 

Yep, avoid at all costs during rush hour. If I have to shop or run errands during this time, I head to Plainfield where it's much more calm. - Van

It's horrible from the mall to 88, everywhere else is just fine. - Denise

I avoid Rt 59 whenever possible! - Colleen

59 needs to be widened north of the mall to 88. - Jim

It's fine the way it is. I think the construction is much worse than the current traffic flow. - Melanie