Governor Quinn Announces Completion of First Phase on Route 59 Improvement Project

NAPERVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today announced the completion of the first phase of the Illinois Route 59 reconstruction project in Naperville. Today marked the completion of retaining wall work along the project's 3.4 mile roadway expansion that has created more than 1,000 jobs. The Governor's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program funding is creating a wider Route 59 and an improved Interstate 88 interchange to accommodate increased traffic and economic growth between Naperville and Aurora. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve Illinois' transportation system, create jobs, and drive the state's economy forward.

"The Naperville area has long needed a significant expansion of Route 59 and the improved Interstate 88 interchange for better access to and from the expressway," Governor Quinn said. "This is a fast growing region and we need to make sure the infrastructure is in place to keep up that momentum and drive the economy forward."

"The expansion of Route 59 is essential to our community," Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel said. "This highway is a critical lifeline through Naperville and Aurora. Route 59 brings moms and dads to and from jobs that support their families, and it gives businesses a convenient location to open their doors to support the local economy. By improving Route 59 and the Interstate 88 interchange, we will improve the quality of life for area residents, visitors and businesses."

Today marks the completion of construction that began in the summer of 2013 including 22 new concrete retaining walls, 13 new noise abatement walls totaling more than 6,000 feet in length, utility relocations and reconstruction of the Wabaunsee Creek box culvert. These features were a critical part of the work that had to be in place before the rest of the project could proceed. As the walls were constructed, crews began work on the roadway portions of the project, which should be complete in the fall of 2015.

Illinois Route 59 is being reconstructed for 3.4 miles from Aurora Avenue/New York Street to south of Ferry Road. The work is providing three lanes in each direction on Route 59 separated by a raised median, plus new traffic signals at all major intersections including New York Street/Aurora Avenue, Liberty Street/Jefferson Avenue, Meridian Parkway/Glacier Park Avenue, North Aurora Road and Diehl Road. Sidewalks and bicycle paths are being constructed along the entire project length and a storm sewer pump station is being upgraded to handle the additional stormwater drainage the wider road will create. The average daily traffic along Route 59 is 49,700 vehicles per day.

The project also includes the reconstruction of the existing interchange at Route 59 at I-88 with a new Diverging Diamond Interchange configuration. This will offer increased capacity and reduced accident potential at the interchange. The work includes construction of two new dual bridge structures over I-88 in addition to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the interchange ramps. Interchange lighting is being provided between Ferry Road and Diehl Road. Roadway lighting will be also provided from Diehl Road to Aurora Avenue/New York Street and at the major intersections.

An estimated 1,250 construction jobs have been created by the project, which contains a number of green components to reduce environmental impacts. The entire project will provide a better roadway with improved safety features, additional traffic capacity, reduced crash potential, better access to the Metra station and improved traffic flow to relieve congestion. The work will help meet the existing and future needs of the adjacent communities.

The $96 million project includes investments from Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program as well as federal funding. The $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.