Politics & Government
East Main/Route 64 Work Advances in St. Charles Despite Heat Wave
New concrete roadways go in, asphalt paving continues despite uncomfortable work conditions.
If you thought it was rough just walking around during last week’s heat wave, imagine what it was like for the construction crews working to put down new concrete and fresh asphalt.
St. Charles Public Works Engineering Division Manager Jim Bernahl, in his weekly update on the East Main Street/Route 64 Reconstruction Project, said construction crews continued to advance on the nearly 3-year-old project.
Bernahl wrote that motorists in the coming weeks will start to see big changes to the appearance of the construction corridor, particularly in the area closest to the city’s downtown. Conversely, motorists should plan for additional travel time as paving continues.
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Here’s a rundown of what to expect, according to Bernahl’s email update — and, as always, the phrase “weather permitting” is key to expected work and completion estimates:
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38th Avenue to Route 59
Work will continue on the installation of the roadway’s center section at East Main Street and Pheasant Run’s main entrance. Work will include grading, placement of aggregate sub-base, installation of bituminous sub-base and then installation of the new concrete roadway. This work is due to be complete by July 30, 2013. Until it is complete, the middle section of the intersection will be closed to cross traffic. Once this intersection is completed, crews will do the same work at East Main and Smith/Kautz Road, which is expected to be completed Aug. 15, 2013. While the intersections are closed, the Illinois Department of Transportation has installed turn-around locations for both eastbound and westbound motorists to access either the north or south side of East Main Street.
Placement of the mainline concrete pavement for both eastbound and westbound traffic from Powis Road toward Pheasant Run is expected to be completed Monday, July 22, 2013, although it may be extended a few days because of extreme heat conditions.
Crews continue to prepare the subgrade of the roadway from the Pheasant Run entrance toward Kautz Road, work that is expected to be ongoing for the next three weeks.
Work on the new bridge near Powis Road is expected to conclude in the next two weeks. Work at the bridge is due to be completed by July 30, 2013. Crews continue with work on the placement of the approach sections of the roadway to the new bridge, which should be completed by Aug. 9, 2013.
Project completion information: The eastern project has a substantial completion date of Oct. 1, 2013, which would include all major construction activities except final restoration and various punch-list items that may cause various daily lane closures. The contractor is on schedule to meet this completion date and no additional delays are expected.
7th Avenue to Kirk Road
AT&T was scheduled to perform rehabilitation work Sunday, July 21, 2013, to one of its structures near East Main Street and South 10th Avenue.
Roadway grinding and preparation will continue for the placement of the new first layer of asphalt between Dunham Road and Kirk Road. Placement of the new asphalt should be completed by July 24, 2013. The contractor expects to begin placement of bituminous asphalt east and west of Tyler Road beginning July 25, 2013 and lasting two weeks, during which time motorists may experience periodic delays.
Crews will continue to frame and pour concrete for curbing near Tyler Road and East Main Street, with completion expected by July 26, 2013.
Installation of a new storm box culvert near East Main Street and North 8th Avenue will continue, and is expected to be completed by Friday July 26, 2013. Once done, crews will begin closing the last open section of concrete roadway near this intersection.
Crews will continue to form and place concrete for retaining wall No. 2 and No. 3. Retaining wall No. 2 is near East Main and Cedar Avenue. Retaining wall No. 3 is on the north side of East Main about 500 east of Hunt Club Drive. This work is expected to be on going for the next two weeks.
Roadway grinding and the placement of bituminous materials between Dunham Road and Kirk Road will continue and are expected to be ongoing for the next few weeks. Motorists may experience periodic delays.
Placement of the new traffic signal mast arms, various street lights, and electrical work is expected to continue along this section of roadway for the next few weeks.
Project completion information: The western project has a substantial completion date of Aug. 30, 2013. This would include all major construction activities except for final restoration and various punch-list items which may cause various daily lane closures. The contractor is on schedule to meet this completion date.
SOURCE: City of St. Charles
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