The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced today that a second lane of traffic would reopen during rush hours on Western Avenue from the newly reconstructed bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River all the way to Belmont. The five-way intersection at Western/Belmont/Clybourn will still be restricted to one lane on Belmont and Clybourn in each direction.  The project is expected to be substantially complete by summer 2017.

“Restoring the second lane of traffic for north and southbound motorists on Western Avenue will allow motorists to travel more easily, improve auto and bus traffic patterns, and allow the businesses on Western to benefit from the elimination of traffic barriers.  We’re pleased to have completed Stage 1 and look forward to completing this entire project on schedule,” CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld said.

Upon completion of the project, Western Avenue will have three lanes of traffic in each direction during rush hours, with the curbside lane available for parking in some areas of the corridor during non-rush hours. The project will also provide roadway improvements along a 1.27 mile stretch of Western Avenue from Logan Boulevard to Waveland Avenue.

Pedestrian safety improvements include pedestrian refuge islands, bump-outs, high-visibility crosswalks, wider sidewalks, and the addition of pedestrian countdown signals at all signalized intersections.  ADA ramps are also being installed at all the corners along the project corridor.

The project includes repairs to the bridge over the North Branch Chicago River, improvements along Western and at the intersections of Western with Schubert, Diversey/Elston, Belmont, Roscoe and Addison. In addition, the project will provide new lighting and install landscaped medians along much of the corridor.

The construction is expected to cost $25.7 million and is estimated to create 128 jobs during the approximately 18 month construction period. 

Throughout the project, CDOT is advising motorists to take alternate routes to avoid delays. The posted alternate route will be Western to Diversey to Ashland to Irving Park, back to Western in both directions for smaller vehicles (excluding large trucks).  Motorists will be able to avoid the construction zone by exiting Western south of Diversey, or north of Irving Park, and using alternate north/south routes. Bus and large truck traffic will be maintained on Western Avenue during the project.

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