In 2024, the 40th Ward will see some major street infrastructure improvements on some of our busiest corridors. In addition to two major streetscape projects on Lincoln and Lawrence Avenues, there are also seven arterial resurfacing projects, each of which will also include bike and pedestrian safety upgrades.
What is Arterial Resurfacing?
The Chicago Department of Transportation’s Arterial Resurfacing program works to improve city infrastructure by periodically repaving high-capacity city streets. As part of Chicago’s Complete Streets Ordinance, any arterial resurfacing project must also include pedestrian and bike safety infrastructure improvements, including curb and sidewalk improvements, safer pedestrian crossings, and improved bike infrastructure where appropriate.
Arterial resurfacing projects include both asphalt resurfacing and concrete work as part of the pedestrian infrastructure improvements. While resurfacing projects do not require full road closures, it does impact traffic for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Individual lanes will be closed as work is being done, and there may also be periodic sidewalk closures as contractors install new infrastructure or replace curb or sidewalk ramps. The repaving process for each block takes several weeks to complete, and is broken up into four phases:
- removal of the top 2-3 inches of old asphalt (sometimes called “grinding” or “milling”)
- adjustment of utility structures (manholes, vaults, etc) to meet the height of the new roadway surface
- placement of the new asphalt
- placement of new pavement markings (lane lines, stop bars, crosswalks, etc.)
The amount of time a project takes to complete depends on factors like the scope of the project, the specific infrastructure being installed, weather conditions, and whether there is any additional city work that may need to happen as part of the project (e.g. sewer repairs); but generally, these projects take several months to complete.
Upcoming 40th Ward Arterial Resurfacing Projects
Damen Avenue
Damen Avenue will be resurfaced from Wilson Avenue to Bowmanville Avenue. Pedestrian and bike safety improvements will include raised crosswalks at several key intersections, as well as bumpouts and curb extensions along the corridor.
Resurfacing is scheduled to begin on the week of August 5th, and be completed in mid-November. Follow the Damen Avenue Arterial Resurfacing page for more details.
Ravenswood Avenue
Ravenswood Avenue will be resurfaced from Wilson Avenue to Peterson Avenue. Pedestrian and bike safety improvements will include curb extensions/bumpouts at key intersections, bike-friendly speed humps, a newly painted neighborhood bikeway, sidewalk replacement, and bike corrals.
The Ravenswood resurfacing project is currently pending final approval, with a targeted start date of September 2024. Follow the Ravenswood Avenue Arterial Resurfacing page for more details.
Ashland Avenue
Ashland Avenue will be resurfaced from Ridge to Winnemac. The 40th Ward initiated a major traffic study on Ashland Avenue, and as a result, the recommendations from that study will be integrated into the project, including new pedestrian islands at key intersections, bumpouts, in-lane bus stops, and a new traffic signal at Ashland and Berwyn, among other improvements.
The Ashland resurfacing project is currently pending final approval, with a targeted start date of late fall 2024 or early spring 2025. Follow the Ashland Avenue Arterial Resurfacing page for more details.
Western Avenue
Continuing the Western Avenue resurfacing project last year, which repaved a section of Western Avenue north of Foster, this year, Western Avenue will be resurfaced from Foster to Leland. Pedestrian and bike safety improvements will include bumpouts and new pedestrian islands to create safer pedestrian crossings.
The Western Avenue resurfacing project is scheduled to begin the week of August 14th. Follow the Western Avenue Arterial Resurfacing page for more details.
California Avenue
California Avenue will be resurfaced from Winona Avenue to Peterson Avenue. The project will also include a series of bumpouts and sidewalk ramp and curb and gutter improvements. Resurfacing is scheduled to begin the week of July 29th, and will be completed in mid-November.
Pratt Boulevard
Pratt Boulevard will be resurfaced from Western Avenue to Sheridan Avenue. The project will also include a series of bumpouts and a stretch of protected bike lanes as part of the Far Northside Bike Network expansion. This project is scheduled to begin in fall 2024.
Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bryn Mawr Avenue is undergoing a resurfacing project from Virginia to Lincoln, one block of which is within the 40th Ward. The project will include bumpouts and a raised crosswalk, as well as curb and gutter and ADA sidewalk ramp improvements as needed. Resurfacing is scheduled to begin in next week, on July 16th (weather permitting).
Construction Updates
The good news? The 40th Ward is about to see major infrastructure improvements to some of our most-used streets. The bad news? There’s going to be quite a bit of construction to navigate through this summer and fall. Our goal is to keep neighbors as informed as possible so you can plan accordingly. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly construction updates!