This week much has been completed on the mid-block crossing. The island was completed and the brick pavers were installed, sidewalk were completed, milling and paving of the hot mix asphalt was finished. The Illinois Street bridge deck was sealed to help water intrusion and prolong it lifespan. The final stages of the project entail removal of old striping, installation of signage and finally striping of the roadway with the new roadway layout and bike lanes.
Progress continues to be made on the mid-block crossing with the installation and widening of the sidewalks on both the north and south side of Illinois Street and the installation of ADA accesses at both locations. Work is beginning on the island this week and it is expected to be completed next week. Following the installation of the pedestrian refuse island, the street will be repaved, restriped and the bridge deck sealed to enhance it’s lifespan.
Work on the north side of Illinois St. encompassing the removal and addition of the new sidewalk and crosswalk ramp has been completed and the sidewalk on the north side of Illinois St. is now open to pedestrians to travel in an east/west direction. Traffic control has been modified for work on the south side of the road to begin and temporary lane shifts are in effect. Please use caution and watch for lane shifts as the project continues into the next phases. Concrete sidewalk and curb removal is underway with the modification and installation of the new sidewalk on the south side of the road planned for the coming week.
Since the project inception on June 2, 2025, work on the north side of Illinois Street has been ongoing with the removal of existing curb & gutter, sidewalk and demolition of other components of the existing site. On June 10, 2025 the new sidewalk, curb & gutter and concrete roadway base was placed on the north side of the project. After curing of the new improvements is complete, traffic control will be moved to the south side of Illinois Street and the process will be repeated to facilitate the new sidewalk, curb & gutter and roadway adjustments for the crossing on the south side of the roadway. Expect eastbound traffic to be impacted in the near future and work on the south side of the project to commence.
The 2023 St. Charles Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan identified the intersection of the Fox River Trail and Illinois Street west of the Fox River as a high-priority location for improvement. This crossing is in a key location for people walking along the river to downtown businesses and the First Street Plaza. The city recently completed design and bidding for this project which includes a pedestrian refuge island and a road diet including new dedicated bike lanes on Illinois Street between Riverside Ave and S 1st Street.
The project is projected to start on or around June 2, 2025 and last approximately three months. Martam Construction of Elgin, Illinois is the general contractor for the improvements and will be coordinating work on this project with the final work on the 1st Street Plaza Project.
Please expect delays to traffic on Illinois St bridge and on Illinois St from S 1st Street to Riverside Ave. Temporary disruptions to the sidewalk and entrance to Fox Island Square are also anticipated throughout the project timeline.
For more information contact the Public Works Department at PW@stcharlesil.gov or 630-377-4405.