Pools are open, school is out (almost Red Devils!) and local road construction projects are getting underway.
Those driving around Hinsdale can usually expect some disruptions this time of year. But Al Diaz, assistant village engineer, said the navigational nuisances should be minimal compared to previous summers.
“It’s a light year,” Diaz said. “We’re in between (master infrastructure plans). Once the next one starts up, you’ll probably see larger projects take place.”
This summer’s slate of improvements consists mainly of smaller resurfacing jobs scheduled to start after the Fourth of July holiday (see sidebar for a full list).
“We’re trying to avoid the parade, so it’ll probably be the week after,” Diaz explained, adding that projects away from the parade route could begin earlier if crews are ready.
Most of the upgrades, which total $880,000, involve milling and resurfacing streets, with some curb and pavement patching where necessary. The work on North York Road and on Madison Street is patching only with some curb repairs, he said.
“We are submitting for some grant money to cover the resurfacing of Madison Street next year. Therefore, we will only be patching the street this year,” Diaz noted.
A couple of flood mitigation projects at low points at Grant and Fifth streets and on Charleston Road in the Woodlands may require some extended traffic limitations, Diaz said.
“There will be longer street closures just because of the nature of the work we’re doing. Traffic will be down to one lane during construction operations on Grant Street,” he said, noting there will be no on-street parking between Fifth and Sixth during the work. “We’re putting in storm sewers to alleviate the flooding that occurs at Fifth and Grant and connecting to the storm sewer we have underneath Robbins Park.”
On Charleston, a culvert will be replaced, and the need to negotiate existing utility lines and replace pavement will add to the time line.
“May take six to eight weeks to finish,” he said. “The goal is get all of this done before school starts.”
The $777,259 in drainage work is being partially funded with nearly $235,000 in grants from DuPage County Stormwater Management.
Meanwhile, starting this week, DuPage County is resuming its pavement maintenance work on 55th Street from County Line Road to Holmes Avenue in Clarendon Hills.
“There will be daily lane closures as they finish up with patching and resurfacing this summer,” Diaz said.
The roadwork is anticipated to be completed in mid-July.
Diaz asked people to be careful and patient when traveling through work areas.
“Typically there will either be a flag person to direct people around the activity or detour signs to direct drivers to the next block,” he said.
2023 road work
These village road resurfacing projects are scheduled for later this summer:
• Lincoln Street from Third to Eighth
• Madison Street from Sixth to Ninth
• Second Street from Grant to Lincoln
• Third Street from County Line to Hillcrest
• Third Street from Vine to Grant
• York Road from Ogden to the village boundary
• Police and fire department parking lot
