EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - The City of Evanston's Public Works Agency is providing community members with an update on major Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects taking place throughout the city.

Sheridan Road/Chicago Avenue
Work has resumed on the Sheridan Road/Chicago Avenue improvement project after the project was temporarily shut down due to the State’s budget issues. This week, Phase 2 of the project resumes, which includes Sheridan Road from the Chicago Avenue/Sheridan Road intersection to Lincoln Street. Traffic is being shifted to the east side of Sheridan Road so that the reconstruction of the road base on the west side can begin. Once construction of the west side of Sheridan Road is complete, traffic will be switched onto the new lanes to accommodate road construction on the east side. Originally, all Phase 2 work was expected to be complete by September 15, but this is now unlikely because critical time was lost during the State-directed project shutdown. This stretch of construction is expected to be completed sometime in the fall.

Phase 1 of the project, which includes Chicago Avenue from Grove Street to the Chicago Avenue/Sheridan Road intersection, was completed in June. In specific locations, reflectors will be added to protected bike lane curbs to improve visibility. Phase 3, from Lincoln Street to Ridge Avenue, is expected to proceed on schedule in 2018.

Emerson/Ridge/Green Bay Project  
Additional directional signage is scheduled to be installed at the Emerson Street, Ridge Avenue and Green Bay Road intersection in late summer, and traffic signal timing continues to be periodically modified. The contractor is completing the final list of items needed to close out the contract.

Fountain Square
Progress on Fountain Square improvements continues. Substantial water main, sewer and other underground utility work has been completed, and sidewalks south of Davis Street are almost complete. The new plaza south of Davis Street is expected to be complete this fall. North of Davis Street, work has been proceeding, but issues with underground utilities and longer than expected lead times for the veterans memorial wall and the fountain are resulting in some delays. The impact is not currently known, but the north plaza construction may extend into the spring of 2018.

Penny Park
Penny Park celebrated its grand reopening on Memorial Day weekend, with many Evanston residents celebrating the return of the beloved playground. Some additional landscaping work remains and will be completed in the fall when conditions are better for planting. Meanwhile, caregivers and children are advised to use caution when enjoying metal slides at Penny Park and other City playgrounds on sunny days, as the metal can be hotter than expected. Additional signage has been installed to remind park users to exercise caution.

The City of Evanston thanks residents for their patience during the busy construction season. As always, community members are advised to take special care when entering a work zone, both for their safety and the safety of construction workers.

Additional information about all of Evanston’s capital improvement projects can be found on the City's website at cityofevanston.org/cip, or by calling/texting 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston. 

Photo: Construction on Chicago Ave.