Utility Conflicts are Delaying Construction Progress on Willow Road

For September 20 to October 4

The entire project corridor is in Phase I operations but a series of utility conflicts are causing delays with the roadway work.    The following is an update on the conflicts and the work planned for the next two weeks:

Waukegan Road.  A shallow water main was discovered in the construction area on Waukegan Road.   After reviewing the options, it was determined that the main needed to be moved outside the pavement area and the project team has been working through the design and permitting to make that happen.   In order for the roadway work to continue, the shallow main needed to be shut down.   To ensure water service could be maintained to all areas of Northfield, the main could not be shut down until the new water main near the bridge on Willow was put back in service.  That water main work was completed this week and the contractor is now able to continue their pavement operations along Waukegan Road.  Over the next two weeks, they planning to finish the final grading and start the permanent pavement installation.

Willow – west of Sunset Ridge.  The majority of the Phase I pavement work has been completed in this area.  Over the next two weeks, the contractor will be working on embankment grading and the sidewalk installation.  When the pavement work on Waukegan Road is complete, the contractor will start the Phase II operations on the south side of the right of way from Sunset Ridge Road west. 

Willow – east of Sunset Ridge to the river.   The roadway work between Sunset Ridge Road and the bridge is delayed due to an AT&T utility conflict at the bridge.  The AT&T cable is in the way of the new sanitary main and storm sewer.  These new utilities are under the pavement and have to be installed before any work can take place on the roadway itself.    AT&T has indicated they will have their conflict resolved by the end of September.     Once that is completed, Lorig Construction will be able to actively start working on the sanitary main, storm sewer and roadway along this segment.

Willow – east of the river to the Eden’s Expressway.   In this segment of roadway, there is a gas main, that NICOR has not yet relocated, that is causing a delay in the roadway work.    IDOT is exploring various options to resolve this conflict, so that the roadway work can again move ahead as quickly as possible.  Until this conflict is resolved however, no work can take place along this segment of the project. 

The lane closures and traffic patterns for the work outlined above are already in place.

More detailed construction work and traffic conditions can be tracked at http://northfieldwillowroad.blogspot.com/ ; through Facebook at Willow Road Construction Project; or through Twitter at @willowroadcp.   

 

Please note that the actual start dates and activities may change due to weather or other conflicts.   #willowroadcp

Power Outage Alert

There is a series of power outages around the north shore.  Currently, various intersections on Willow Road are being impacted and motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes to avoid lengthy delays.  Within the community, the Village of Northfield currently has 748 customers without power.  We are awaiting more detailed information from Com Ed on anticipated restoration times.

 

What’s New for Willow Road?

For September 9 to 20

The entire project corridor is now in Phase I operations. That means that both the east and west bound traffic is running on the south side of the corridor while Lorig Construction builds out the northern half of the project. Over the next two weeks, the contractor plans to be working on the following elements:

• Sunset Ridge Road to Waukegan Road - curb and gutter, electrical, and sidewalk installations.
   
• Waukegan Road - earthwork, subgrade placement and concrete paving operations.
   
• Sunset Ridge Road to Bristol – pavement and soil removals, water and sanitary main, and drainage system installation. The new drainage system will consist of two, large, parallel pipes under the pavement in the north and south lanes. It starts as a 66” pipe at the river and then transitions to a 48” and 36” pipe as it heads west.
   
• All of the local schools are now open. Motorists are reminded to be especially careful of children walking and biking adjacent to the construction.

The lane closures and traffic patterns for the work outlined above are already in place.

More detailed construction work and traffic conditions can be tracked at http://northfieldwillowroad.blogspot.com/ ; through Facebook at Willow Road Construction Project; or through Twitter at @willowroadcp. Please note that the actual start dates and activities may change due to weather or other conflicts. #willowroadcp