What's Happening With Downtown AH Improvement Projects?

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Summer improvements are underway in downtown Arlington Heights with resurfacing work happening on Northwest Highway and new gas mains also being installed in the downtown area. In addition, crews are working to add a mid-block crosswalk in the southern portion of the downtown area and completion of a sewer project is meant to address flooding woes, according to an update provided by village officials last week in the village's e-mail newsletter.

"We appreciate everyone’s patience as progress continues...," village officials wrote.

As part of the improvement projects, Nicor is working to replace gas mains and services throughout the downtown. Many of the existing gas mains are located in the roadway and will be relocated under the walkway, according to village officials.

In addition, the Illinois Department of Transportation is resurfacing a portion of Northwest Highway, from Vail Avenue east to Des Plaines. The village will create a new mid-block crosswalk in the downtown area in conjunction with work that is being done on a new sewer main, according to the newsletter.

The Cambell/Sigwalkt/Vail (downtown) combined area sewer project has been highlighted as one of the top priority project in town to prevent flooding. When completed, the larger sewer mains are meant to prevent sewer backups in basements for up to 250 homes in the area and also is meant to target street flooding on Campbell west of Vail, village officials noted.

Nearly half of the $3.7 million project will be covered by a $1.8 million grant from the Metropolitan WaterReclamation District (MWRD).

Downtown stores are open accessible during the construction work. The village is working closely with construction crews to keep parking spaces open and make the downtown open for pedestrians, especially vehicular traffic.

Village officials also noted the site of Arlington 425, a vacant parcel along Campbell between Highland and Chestnut, is temporarily being used house construction equipment for the downtown sewer improvement project.