An Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project will soon transform Roosevelt Road west of Desplaines Avenue in Forest Park into smooth sailing.
The patching and resurfacing project, which started last fall, extends from Desplaines on the east to Mannheim Road on the west. In addition to Forest Park, municipalities affected are Hillside, Westchester, Broadview and Maywood. The project consists of road resurfacing and sidewalk ramp repairs.
After IDOT suspended the project for the winter, work resumed March 28 and impacted the Forest Park stretch from Desplaines to First Avenue shortly thereafter.
Tim Gillian, village administrator, said the project is “completely run by IDOT with very little input from Forest Park.” He said most of the work in Forest Park has taken place during overnight hours, reducing the impact on village residents and motorists. He also noted all costs will be paid by IDOT.
Guy Tridgell, IDOT director of communications, explained that the patching work was necessary at locations where the pavement had deteriorated the most. Most of those efforts wrapped up prior to winter, before construction was suspended, he added.
The department resumed the milling and resurfacing component on March 28, essentially moving in the work zone from west to east, according to Tridgell.
“We still anticipate everything wrapping up by the end of May,” he added. “Until then, some temporary daytime lane closures will be necessary and possibly overnight as well.
“Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.”
The project will complement the village’s 2017 Roosevelt Road streetscape project, which included pavement resurfacing between Harlem Avenue and Desplaines Avenue.
That $4.75 million project also included raised landscaped median islands; decorative crosswalks at Lathrop and Circle avenues; site furniture; sidewalks with a brick paver ribbon; and replacement of all street lighting with decorative street lighting.
