<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0xJZKQ_1GovVGlc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0xJZKQ_1GovVGlc00" width="1200" height="900" ></figure>The Renew the Avenue project is on schedule to be finished by Thanksgiving, according to Village Engineer Bill McKenna. Since the start of the project in January, the construction occurring on Oak Park Avenue has been a part of Oak Parkers’ daily lives. Noting that construction has not experienced major delays, McKenna said “the project is still scheduled to be substantially complete by Thanksgiving.” While Renew the Avenue has mostly been seen as an effort to make Oak Park Avenue look more presentable, the primary purpose of the project has been to replace the old sewage and water pipes under the street. As a testament to the age of this underground infrastructure, McKenna said that some of what they are replacing “goes back to the 1880s.” Additionally, the project does more than just replacing sewage and water pipes. Gas pipes underground lead to the nearby businesses, and there are electrical lines, traffic signals, communication lines, decorative lighting and even a steam heating system that needs to be addressed in this process. McKenna also mentioned something called “sidewalk vaults” that can often be an obstacle. These sidewalk vaults are basements from nearby businesses that push out under the sidewalk and create unexpected challenges.With these aspects in mind, the current focus of the construction is on wrapping up the sidewalk and by the end of the month and completing the roadway south of the viaduct. Along with working on the top layer of the project south of the viaduct, focus is shifting to the area north of the viaduct, which McKenna said “needed some additional coordination,” such as working with AT&amp;T to rebuild manholes. Another reason the focus is switching to the north side of the project is because there is a basement that extends to under the sidewalk on the east side of the street near Billy Bricks they are doing interior work on, which must be completed before beginning to work on the sidewalk above it. Still, McKenna maintained that the majority of the work will be completed before Thanksgiving, adding that there will be smaller aspects that can be completed after the roads and sidewalks are completed: “We’ll have the road open. We may have to close one or two parking spaces while we’re working in a given area. But everything will be reopened to the public.” In terms of cooperation with nearby businesses, McKenna said that “there’s a lot of hands-on communication,” specifying that there are many one-on-one communications with business owners because of the close proximity of the work. Additionally, McKenna spoke about the regular meetings with Hemingway Business District, noting that “we go to those meetings, give them updates on the project, answer questions and then we also use various tools for the village to help support those businesses.” Supporting businesses impacted by construction has also been a focus of the project. The Dandelion Bookshop, 139 S. Oak Park Ave., is one business affected. The owner, Jamie Ericson, expressed her opinions about the construction, saying, “The village has been helpful, and I understand they’re doing their best, but eight months is a very long time for customers to not be able to access our store easily.”As the end of the construction nears, Ericson talked about one upcoming event called “On the Road Again,” which is scheduled for Nov. 14. It’s going to be “a big party, thanking everybody for supporting all the businesses for this time and welcoming everyone back,” she said.Along with business owners, the construction affects the everyday lives of people in the Oak Park community. Janelle Smithson, a teacher at Oak Park and River Forest High School, said that the construction on Oak Park Avenue was an inconvenience to her at times. When asked if the construction discourages her from shopping or getting food around the area, Smithson replied with, “I am discouraged, yes, because it becomes annoying.” Smithson laid out what a successful Renew the Avenue project looks like to her: accessible, safe, aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian friendly.With the end of the project in sight, the village will host an event Nov. 14 called “On the Road Again” featuring a parade of classic cars, a bike event, food and live music, among other activities. More information is available here.</div></body>

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The Renew the Avenue project is on schedule to be finished by Thanksgiving, according to Village Engineer Bill McKenna. Since the start of the project in January, the construction occurring on Oak Park Avenue has been a part of Oak Parkers’ daily lives. Noting that construction has not experienced major delays, McKenna said “the project is still scheduled to be substantially complete by Thanksgiving.”

Engineer: Oak Park Ave construction nearly done

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The Renew the Avenue project is on schedule to be finished by Thanksgiving, according to Village Engineer Bill McKenna. Since the start of the project in J

Engineer: Oak Park Ave construction nearly done

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