The First Street Plaza offers a central location for public fairs and festivals, entertainment and events, or just enjoying the views. It creates a welcoming spot to gather in the already popular downtown St. Charles area.
The Main Street Pedestrian Improvements are the final phase of the 1st Street Plaza project and will help to improve pedestrian access across and along Main Street through improved signalization timing, cross walk installation and walkway modifications.
This final phase of the 1st Street Plaza project will begin to be implemented in the beginning of June, 2025 with the mobilization of traffic control on Main St in both the east and west directions. Motorists should expect delays and changing traffic conditions daily during the duration of the project between Illinois Rte 31 and Riverside Ave which will include shifting lanes, lane closures and possible short road closures. The anticipated time frame for completion of the work is four months.
The project consists of work on the existing traffic signal to shorten the time the signal reacts to a pedestrian call for crossing, updating of the traffic control heads to match the new pedestrian crosswalks and sidewalks, which will complete the north portion of the plaza within the IDOT Right of Way. This work also includes moving of several of the existing signal poles to new locations complimentary of the new Main Street cross walk and a final installation of walking surfaces along Main Street.
Project Information
Work in the IDOT Right of Way continued this week with the completion of the modification of the traffic signals and new pedestrian call buttons. The new curb was formed and placed and sidewalk adjacent to the curb and interfacing with the plaza is on deck. After work on the south side of the road is finished, the traffic will switch to the north side of the road and the pedestrian crosswalk ramp will be reconstructed.
Work on the traffic signals continues and new poles have been installed where specified and existing poles have been relocated on the south side of the road. Underground utility work is wrapping up on the south side of the road this week and will be followed by the placement of the curb on the south side of the road. Concrete base course will be placed and the brick paver work will commence prior to moving to the north side of the road.
Construction continues this week on Main Street near the 1st Street Plaza. Improvements in the IDOT Right of Way continue with the completion of the removal of the existing concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter and roadway. Work associated with the traffic signal is underway and modifications to the pedestrian controls are being planned for the coming weeks, including setting new poles and associated underground electrical work.
A temporary entrance to the First Street Plaza has been provided but is subject to frequent and un-noticed closures. Please be careful when traveling the area and the project team apologizes for any inconvenience this work is causing.
Work commenced on improvements in the IDOT Right of Way of Illinois Rte. 64 where the roadway and the 1st Street Plaza interface. Initial work included removal and demolition of existing sidewalk, concrete road paving, temporary concrete paving and other ancillary items including traffic and pedestrian control. All access to the north side of the plaza is closed and pedestrians are encouraged to follow the signage provided and use the opposite side of the street to avoid the work zone. Work on the traffic signal programing and electrical work associated with the new pedestrian crossing signals is getting underway and will be continuing for the next few weeks followed by other utility work within the Right of Way.
A temporary entrance to the First Street Plaza will be selectively provided when construction allows and is subject to frequent and un-noticed closures. Please be careful when traveling the area and the project team apologizes for any inconvenience this work is causing.