The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced today that it has begun construction on the second phase of the Irving Park Road streetscape project that will improve the street with infrastructure upgrades and decorative elements. 

“This important infrastructure investment will improve the aesthetics of the street, enhance the quality of life for Northcenter neighbors, and encourage more economic development along this corridor,” said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein.  “The improvements will consist of numerous aesthetic and architectural elements, including decorative lighting, stamped crosswalks, landscaped planters and community identifiers highlighting the Northcenter shopping district.”

The project will extend the improvements recently constructed on Irving Park, in Phase 1, between Western and Damen.  Phase 2 of the project is along Irving Park from the Chicago River at Rockwell to Western Avenue, and from the corner of Lincoln Avenue/Damen Avenue to Ravenswood Avenue. 

The $4.4 million construction cost is being funded through Tax Increment Financing (TIF).  It is one of the many streetscape projects of Building a New Chicago, a comprehensive $7.3 billion infrastructure renewal program put forward by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

“This streetscape project was developed in coordination with the Northcenter community to improve the overall experience of Irving Park Road, the main thoroughfare of the neighborhood,” said Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th).  “Through Tax Increment Financing, we have put our own tax dollars to work in our own neighborhood.” 

The project will extend the improvements recently constructed on Irving Park, in Phase 1, between Western and Damen, which included many aesthetic and architectural elements.  Phase 1 highlights included: permeable pavers in the parkway to reduce sidewalk drainage to the City sewer; new decorative street lighting with energy efficient, metal halide “white” light; 40 planted hanging baskets mounted on the street light poles; and 85 new shade trees.  Additionally, Phase 1 included sidewalk “bump-outs” on side streets, including the north side of Bell Avenue, the north and south sides of Leavitt Street, and the north side of Hoyne Avenue.

Bump-outs enhance the pedestrian experience by reducing the street crossing distance and providing space for treatments such as sidewalk café areas and irrigated in-ground planters with decorative metal fencing.

The highlights of the second phase of the Irving Park Streetscape project include:

• Parking lane resurfacing to improve drainage and ridability
• New curb and gutter, as needed
• New sidewalk with ADA ramps
• Permeable paver parkways
• Decorative benches, bike racks and waste containers
• 74 new shade trees with tree grates
• New concrete bus stop pads to prevent pavement heaving
• New decorative street lighting with energy efficient, metal halide “white” lights
• 52 Hanging baskets mounted on decorative light poles
• New Northcenter vertical community identifiers
• Stamped crosswalks
• Sidewalk “bump-out” on side streets on the north and south sides of Wolcott Avenue 
• Four irrigated landscaped planter urns at bump-out locations.