SYCAMORE – A multimillion-dollar Route 23 resurfacing project already has experienced a number of setbacks. Should luck be on their side, however, officials said the project should be finished before school starts in August.
The $4.4 million project, which is being handled by the Illinois Department of Transportation with contracting from the Crystal Lake-based Curran Group, resurfaced the road from Fox Avenue in Sycamore to Fourth Street in DeKalb last fall. It also adjusted sidewalk ramps at crossings to make them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Curran Group project manager Jairus Camarena said the remainder of the project, from Oakland Drive to Coltonville Road, might be in full swing as soon as May 29 – the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Message boards alerting motorists were put up more than a week ago.
“Our thought is by late July or early August, it would be done and striped,” Camarena said. “A majority of the actual asphalt work itself should be done by the end of July.”
Work was set to begin June 26 last year, but the state’s prolonged budget impasse pushed the start date back to July.
The remaining stretch was supposed to be completed in November, but an unanticipated site problem was discovered between Peace Road and Oakland Drive, which required a long-term solution. Project manager Barb Bensinger said a second layer of asphalt was so porous that it had begun to crumble.
To minimize the effect on traffic and local businesses, lane closures will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday, according to a letter sent to area business owners and residents in March. Times and days might be subject to change, based on traffic observations.
“Businesses and residences along Illinois 23 will be accessible while construction is taking place,” the letter said. “However, there may be short periods of inaccessibility overnight to driveways and entrances when construction crews are working. Our goal is to minimize inconveniences as best as we can without sacrificing the safety of the public.”
The 86 uncovered manholes that were elevated about 2 inches above the rest of the road were a big problem for motorists during the first part of the resurfacing.
Sycamore City Engineer Mark Bushnell said that conditions will not be as bad on this section of Route 23.
“There are some manholes, but not the same number that there was in DeKalb,” Bushnell said. “And most of them are within the outer turn lanes of the road.”
Camarena said about 95 percent of the manholes are in the turn lanes, and contractors are working with IDOT on solutions for the manholes to have as little effect on traffic as possible.
“It is going to be addressed,” Camarena said.
Sycamore Police Cmdr. Steve Cook said that there will be a bigger police presence along this stretch during construction.
“I imagine there will be some delays and traffic problems, but we plan to be in those areas more than we normally would,” Cook said.
According to its website, IDOT
has a traffic alert on this portion of Route 23 until Aug. 31 and is reminding motorists to slow down and use extreme caution when driving through the work zone, watch for speed limits and other signage and keep any eye out for workers and flaggers in the area.
Route 23 will not be the only road in DeKalb County that will be experiencing possible traffic delays this construction season. Route 72 from Washington Street to Sycamore Street in Genoa will be closed to all traffic from 10 a.m. June 5 to 6 a.m. June 10, according to the state agency’s website.
IDOT advises motorists to use an alternate route and expect traffic delays.
Business owners and residents who have concerns about the reconstruction can call IDOT at 815-434-6131. Bushnell said the Sycamore Public Works Department typically would refer such questions to IDOT.
“This would just save one step in the process,” he said. “Residents would be able to be handled that much quicker [by calling IDOT].”