Politics & Government

Construction To Begin Soon on Church, Sheridan

Work on three public works projects begins June 18: resurfacing Church Street, a plaza with rain garden at Dodge and Lake and traffic signal modernization on Sheridan.

‘Tis the season for construction—and, right on time, work on a new batch of projects in Evanston will soon be underway. 

On Monday, June 18, the city’s Public Works Department will begin three new construction projects, according to a press release from city spokesperson Eric Palmer. Those include resurfacing Church Street and installing a protected bike path, street-scaping at Dodge Avenue and Lake Street and traffic signal improvements on Sheridan Road. 

On Church Street, public works crews will grind the asphalt, repair the roadway base and replace the asphalt surface. They will also construct a new concrete sidewalk with brick border and replace the existing tree grates, according to Palmer.   

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Meanwhile, the first phase of construction of a protected bike path from the McCormick path to the lakefront trail begins on Church Street as well, where crews will build a on the south curb lane between Dodge and Ashland avenues. 

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At the intersection of Dodge Avenue and Lake Street, the Public Works department will remove some pavement to create a concrete plaza with a rain garden. The work is designed to make pedestrians safer and to improve aesthetics, Palmer said. Using funds from the West Evanston tax increment-financing district, the city will also build a new bus shelter at the intersection. 

Both the project on Church Street and the project at the intersection of Dodge and Lake are expected to wrap up by mid August, according to Palmer. While construction is going on, one-way traffic will be maintained in each direction on Church and Dodge, with temporary “No Parking” signs posted 48 hours before work begins. Street-sweeping and neighborhood parking restrictions will be waived for a one-block radius around the construction zone. 

Work on Sheridan Road will be conducted by the city of Evanston and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Crews will modernize five signals, install a new signal at Northwestern Place and interconnect all six signals between Chicago Avenue and Central Street, according to Palmer. 

The new LED signals are designed to improve traffic flow and reduce energy costs, he said. They are also designed to improve pedestrian safety, with the addition of pedestrian countdown signals and pedestrian detectors at the intersections. 

The project will likely last until the end of September, according to Palmer, and will require no lane closures on Sheridan Road. Street-sweeping restrictions will be waived for a one-block radius. 


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