Story posted Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Road Repairs Bunch Up Traffic
Several road construction projects in Park Ridge will continue to frustrate drivers, but should lead to easier travel through the city.
Work on Touhy Avenue is underway and should last a few more weeks, according to City Engineer Sarah Mitchell. The roadway is already ground and crews are doing concrete work. "They are definitely fast-tracking that," Mitchell said. The project runs from just east of Prospect Avenue to the city limits then continues into Niles.
When that project is finished, the same crew will move up to Oakton Street. Oakton will be resurfaced from end to end within the city limits, a project that should take about six to eight weeks.
The Illinois Dept. of Transportation oversees those two projects as well as a resurfacing of Canfield Avenue between Devon Avenue and Higgins Road. The Canfield work is scheduled to start in mid to late July.
There are two projects planned for Potter Road. One is the construction of a right-turn lane south of Dempster Street. "That's in conjunction with construction north of Dempster," Mitchell explained. The work is a Cook County project and Park Ridge will reimburse Cook County for the work on the city's side of Dempster. Mitchell said the project should cost between $180,000 and $200,000.
The city will also replace a water main on Potter between Northwest and Busse highways later in the summer. Another water main replacement is set for Canfield Avenue but will be done in conjunction with IDOT's work on the roadway.
The resurfacing of Cumberland Avenue is already completed, as is other paving work planned by the city for this year. There are still relief sewer and sidewalk replacements set for later in the year.
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