(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- New construction began Monday in Naperville in what is billed as Phase 2 of the Downtown Streetscape project.
Crews will be working on streets, sidewalks and utilities along Washington Street between Chicago and Benton Avenues.
Drivers already are used to seeing delays in that area due to construction of the Washington Street bridge, and now the traffic headache is expanding.
Those behind the project say it’s by design.
“Traffic is already down to one lane in each direction at the bridge, and so we intentionally scheduled this project to coincide with the construction of the bridge,” said project engineer Katie Rubush. “Since it's already down to one lane in each direction, we're essentially extending the merger point further north, so it will be one lane in each direction for a longer length.”
The updates aim to improve pedestrian mobility, accessibility and safety while also replacing an 80-year-old water main.
Lane closures along Washington Street are expected through October.
On-street parking will be eliminated during construction, but there are still plenty of other spaces.
“We have parking on Chicago when you're coming from the east, we have parking on Water Street, we have parking on Van Buren,” said Rubush. “I would just encourage people to head to one of our parking garages and avoid all the hassle of driving through downtown.”
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