Project Update – March 2025
This vital infrastructure improvement project will enhance traffic flow and safety in our community. Below are the latest updates:
-
Construction Signage: Earlier this week, “Road Work Ahead” signage was placed around the project area before the commencement of work this upcoming week.
-
Fence Relocation and Tree Removals: Over the next few weeks, crews are scheduled to begin relocating the fence along Route 14 adjacent to Jewel Park and complete final tree removals. Fence work is expected to take 1-2 weeks and will move the existing wood fence to the south edge of the Elm Road right-of-way. This will help separate the neighborhood from the construction area. While tree removals are largely complete, final removals will take place this month within the railroad right-of-way and a few residential parcels where access was not previously secured.
-
Demolition and Excavation: Following the initiation of fence and tree work, demolition of the strip mall at 557 N. Hough St., and excavation for the new pump station at 117 E. Northwest Hwy. (just east of Jiffy Lube) will begin. These are key steps in moving the project forward.
-
Utility Relocations: Comcast’s utility work is underway near the intersection of Route 14 and Hough Street. Nicor and AT&T will be completing utility relocation work on Hough Street just south of Route 14 starting this month. Relocation schedules are still being finalized with other utilities and along the Route 14 corridor.
-
Culvert Installation: Crews will also begin installing a culvert on the south side of the bridge on Elm Road, which will allow for the creation of a temporary roadway over Flint Creek. This installation will require minimal work on the north side of Elm Road to temporarily reroute water around the construction zone, while the majority of work will take place from Route 14. The project team will target dry weather conditions to keep the installation process efficient.
-
Hough Street Culvert: A significant milestone in the project will be the installation of a new culvert to carry Flint Creek under Hough Street. While the start date for this work is still dependent on the completion of utility relocations, utility designs and permits are in progress, and the project team is actively working to expedite the timeline to allow this work to begin this spring.
