Interstate 290

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced today that drivers should get ready for four major projects in the Chicago area beginning in April.   IDOT is resurfacing 27 miles of the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and rehabbing the Congress Parkway Bridge.  CDOT is reconstructing the north-south leg of Wacker Drive and improving Congress Parkway.   Increased traffic volumes, stress and deterioration of the roadways have caused damage, and these projects are needed to restore a smooth, safe ride for the motoring public, as well as provide improvements for pedestrians.

“IDOT and CDOT have worked very closely to coordinate these major projects,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig.  “We realize they will have an impact on tens of thousands of motorists and pedestrians, and we pledge to do everything we can to keep that impact as small as possible.  We ask the public to work with us; use mass transit when possible, and when driving through the work zones, please be alert for workers.  Once the construction dust settles in 2012, we know the motoring public will be pleased with result.”

CDOT Acting Commissioner Thomas H. Powers noted that the four projects, done separately, would take over a decade to complete.  “By coordinating these projects, the state and the city will minimize the duration of the construction work,” he said.

Alternate Route Information

• Congress Bridge Flyer (PDF)
• I290 Flyer (PDF)

Here is a breakdown of the four projects:

Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) resurfacing

• The general work will consist of resurfacing 27 miles along I-290 from Thorndale to the Circle Interchange (90-94) and from Interstate 355 from Army Trail Road to I-290, located within both Cook and DuPage counties.
• Repairs to 37 bridge structures and this work will include bridge deck and approach pavement patching, barrier wall repair.

This project will be completed in one construction season.  Weather permitting construction should be completed in the Fall of 2010.  Major traffic impacts to the traveling public are anticipated.

Traffic Impacts

Interstate 290 generally consists of three to four-lanes in each direction with variable width shoulders. Construction will take place in both directions simultaneously inbound and outbound and will utilize permanent lane closures and temporary nighttime lane closures.  Closures are set for the beginning April.

For the most up-to-date project information, log onto www.dot.il.gov on Projects, and in the District 1 Section, click on the top link: Interstate 290 Resurfacing Project.

Congress Street Bridge

Built in 1956, the Congress Street Bridge over the Chicago River will be closed for a major rehab. All traffic, both eastbound and westbound, will initially be shifted to the westbound lanes while crews renovate the eastbound side of the structurally deficient bridge. Traffic will be switched to the eastbound side in 2011 for the duration of the project.

Traffic Impacts

During the $33 million project, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to two lanes inbound and one lane outbound from Canal to Wells Streets for two years. Suggested alternate routes for the 139,000 vehicles that use the bridge on an average weekday include Roosevelt Road, Adams Street and Washington Street.  Closures are set to start the night of March 31 weather permitting.

The following ramps will be closed during the Congress Street Bridge Construction are as follows:

• Southbound Wacker Drive to Westbound Congress Parkway
• Northbound Franklin Avenue to Westbound Congress Parkway
• Eastbound Kennedy Expressway to Eastbound Congress Parkway
• Northbound Dan Ryan to Eastbound Congress Parkway

Wacker Drive

CDOT will rebuild the upper and lower levels of north-south Wacker Drive from Randolph Street to Congress Parkway.  The project also includes a reconfiguration of the Congress Parkway interchange to improve merge lanes, and to create three acres of new green space.

Traffic Impacts

Starting this month, crews will be performing utility work on the lower level only.  Lower Wacker will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and is intended for local traffic only.  The ramps from inbound Congress Parkway to Wacker Drive, and from Wacker Drive onto outbound Congress Parkway, are tentatively set to be closed in April.

The reconstruction of upper and lower Wacker Drive will occur in 2011 and 2012.
For more information, visit www.wackerdrive.org.

Congress Parkway Streetscape

CDOT plans to improve Congress Parkway from Wells Street to Michigan Avenue.  Funded in part by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the project is designed to improve one of the main corridors into downtown Chicago.  The project includes roadway improvements, new sidewalks, medians and sidewalk planters, lighting, traffic signal upgrades, and other elements.  Work is tentatively set to begin in summer 2010.

Traffic Impacts

During construction, Congress Parkway will be reduced to three lanes inbound and two lane outbound. For more information, visit www.cityofchicago.org/transportation.

Both IDOT and CDOT encourage motorists to use alternate routes and travel during off-peak hours.  Public transportation is strongly encouraged.

The Oak Park Police are seeking the public’s help identifying the person(s) responsible for multiple incidents of graffiti throughout the Oak Park Avenue/Lake Street corridor and along the Eisenhower expressway. The offender often uses the tag name VOMET or RYDE. Accompanying words may include “Vicki” or “Netrak” among others. The offender has targeted various locations on more than 40 separate occasions and has caused extensive property damage. The description of the suspected offender is as follows: Male with light complexion, late teens, 5’9″ tall, average build, dark curly hair, wearing a gray hooded jacket or a camouflage jacket. Anyone with any information on the identity of the person(s) responsible for these incidents or any related information, is urged to contact the Police Department at 708.386.3800. To report information anonymously, call the Crime Tip Hotline 708.434.1636 or e-mail police@oak-park.com.

Below are samples of the graffiti:

Don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1…
Oak Park Police rely on residents and business owners. If you see unusual activity, suspicious people or vehicles in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Oak Park Education Foundation

Bird enthusiasts, art lovers and consumers of fine things…come to Fly Bird, 719 Lake Street in Oak Park, April 12 through May 2 for a visual and affordable treat.  Fly Bird, a design-oriented gift shop in Oak Park, is hosting the 6^th annual student art show/auction to benefit the Oak Park Education Foundation.

District 97 6^th grade students from Julian and Brooks middle schools, under the supervision of their art teachers, have donated their time and talent to create beautiful ink paintings in traditional Sumi-E style, with a bird theme.  The paintings will hang in the windows at 719 Lake Street, and can be observed at any time of day or night.

Oak Park Education Foundation's Art Start Program

Fly Bird is owned by an Oak Park and District 97 parent, Julia Nash. The store specializes in curiosities for the happy home, body and mind.  The staff at Fly Bird will make it simple for you to acquire one of these works of art. The bidding starts at only $10, will increase in increments of $5, with a “Buy Now” option for only $30! Bids can be made via email, telephone or in person.  And Frame Warehouse is offering $25 discounts on framing.

All proceeds from the auction benefit the Oak Park Education Foundation, which provides innovative enrichment programs (Art Start, Global Village, Architecture Adventure, Vex Robotics and Geared Up) in the Oak Park public schools, grades K-8. Our professional partners share their passion for art, science, architecture and engineering to more than 3,000 District 97 students every year.

Fly Bird is located at 719 Lake St. in Oak Park, and is open seven days a week, Monday thru Wednesday 10-6pm, Saturday 10-6pm, Thursday and Friday 10-8pm and Sunday from 12 to 4 pm. You can email headbird@fly-bird.net, call 708-383-3330 or come to the store with any questions regarding the show.   Stop by and take a look!

For more information, contact Deb Abrahamson, Oak Park Education Foundation, (708) 524-3023, dabrahamson@op97.org.

U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis

U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-7th District) will host a town hall meeting from 7 – 9 p.m., Tues., April 6, at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Agenda items will include health care, jobs, the economy and other constituent interests.  For more information, call 708.345.6857.

The Publisher of the SOP Box hopes that there will be a full house to greet our elected Congressional Representative.

    BUY BERWYN Shop Local Initiative

The Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC) is pleased to announce the launch of Berwyn’s own shop local initiative, Buy Berwyn. The purpose of this promotion is to build awareness regarding the benefits of shopping local and to encourage support for the local business community.

According to research, the 3/50 project has identified that for every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures while shopping with national chains retains only $43 and online shopping retains nothing. BDC President Paul Zimmermann stated, “The concept of shopping local has been trendy for the past decade. It undoubtedly underscores the importance of our residents and workforce sustaining the local economy so that we can protect our local employment and self-employment base and maintain the appeal of our commercial corridors. It also supports a ‘green’ view for reducing carbon emissions and promoting healthier living by driving less and walking to local merchants when possible. When you consider the positive aspects of both of these initiatives, the choice to Buy Berwyn is obvious.”

This campaign is not about asking the community to dramatically change its shopping habits and to shun national chains. Rather, it is about making an effort to shop local independents whenever possible. Times are tough and the immediate economic forecast remains spotty, but the community cannot simply stash its buying power under the proverbial mattress. The 3/50 project has a simple solution, which starts with choosing three favorite independents and then making a commitment to spend $50 per month between these three stores. Mayor Robert Lovero added, “If every resident made a small individual effort, the collective result could create a significant savings for Berwyn. Keeping our tax flow in the community creates a multiplier effect and protects the overall economic health of Berwyn.”

In January 2010, the BDC membership unanimously passed an Advisory Resolution at its Annual Membership Meeting that called for the BDC to create a Shop Local Initiative. Distributed this week, the BDC has created a window poster in English and Spanish (Compre en Berwyn) exclusively for BDC members to display in their storefront windows or prominently in their businesses. The poster design is consistent with the City of Berwyn’s Integrated Marketing Campaign, marked by the brightly colored bull’s eye logo and blue background.

In the coming months, the City of Berwyn will also add the tagline, Buy Berwyn, to the backside of its 2010 vehicle stickers to keep residents mindful of the vibrant business community in their backyards.

The posters and vehicle stickers are but the first steps in a commitment to sustain our local businesses. Additional information on the Buy Berwyn Shop Local Initiative can be obtained through the Berwyn Development Corporation at (708) 788-8100 or www.berwyn.net. Future campaign planning will take place through the BDC’s Chamber Services Committee meetings. For more information on the 3/50 project, visit www.the350project.net.