Ashland Avenue Arterial Resurfacing

The Ashland Avenue resurfacing project includes a full street resurfacing from Ridge to School, as well as major pedestrian safety improvements.

As part of Chicago’s Complete Streets Ordinance, any arterial resurfacing project must also include pedestrian and bike safety infrastructure; Ashland Avenue in particular underwent a major traffic study from Winnemac to Bryn Mawr, and will be receiving major pedestrian safety upgrades as part of this project, including new pedestrian islands, bumpouts, in-lane bus boarding, and more.

The resurfacing projects will include both concrete work as part of the pedestrian infrastructure improvements, and asphalt resurfacing.

Project Features

• Pedestrian islands at key intersections
• Curb extensions/bumpouts at major intersections
• In-lane bus stops and bus pads
• New traffic signal at Ashland and Berwyn
• Pavement resurfacing
• Sidewalk, curb and gutter, and ADA ramp improvements

Community Impacts

• Parking will be fully restricted on both sides of the street for the full limits of the operation) during any paving operations (milling, binder paving, surface paving) or pavement marking installation.
• During paving operations, Ashland Avenue will remain open to vehicle traffic but significant travel time delays and congestion should be expected.
• During patching and structure adjustment work, traffic will remain open on Ashland Avenue but lane shifts and disruptions should be expected.  Drivers should exercise caution.
• Localized parking restrictions will be in place while the concrete improvements are being performed.
• Sidewalks and crosswalks will be closed while work to replace them is being performed.  Access to businesses will be maintained; however, there may be intervals (e.g. when concrete is placed at entrances) when access is interrupted.

Project Timeline

• Bidding: Fall 2024
• Construction: Summer 2025-Spring 2026
• Estimated Completion: Majority complete EOY 2025, with the remaining completed by June 2026

Due to the competing construction projects in the same area, the project will now be completed in three phases:

• Phase 1: School to Montrose
• Phase 2: Foster to Clark/Ridge
• Phase 3: Montrose to Foster

The intent of the phasing is to minimize conflicts with other nearby projects. Given the timing constraints of the project, work will need to progress regardless of the status of other projects. Modifications to this phasing may be necessary to progress work and mitigate unexpected conditions.

The estimated completion date for sidewalk, bus bulb, curb extension, and pavement resurfacing for all three phases is December, 2025. Pedestrian medians and bus pads will be completed by June 2026. 

Order of Operations:

• Milling work: ~1- 2 weeks per phase
• Paving of Level Binder HMA: ~1- 2 weeks per phase
• Concrete work (sidewalks, curbs, sewer work): ~4-6 weeks per phase
• Road Patching/Structure Adjustments: ~2-3 weeks per phase
• Paving of Surface Course HMA: ~1- 2 weeks per phase
• Pavement Markings: ~1-2 weeks per phase
• Signage Installation ~1 week per phase
• Median, Refuge Island, and Raised Crosswalk Installation: ~2 weeks per phase
• Bus Pad Work: ~2 weeks per phase
• MMA Pavement Markings: ~2-3 weeks per phase

Expectation is for asphalt milling work to begin immediately ahead of concrete work on the Phase 1 section. However, this sequencing may reverse for Phases 2 & 3 based on the capacity of the crews.

Construction Updates

Latest Update as of 9/5/25: Phase 2 of the Ashland Resurfacing Project, from Foster to Ridge, is scheduled to begin the week of September 15th! No Parking signs will be posted as required during working hours (typically 7am-4:30pm).

See below for weekly construction updates!

Community Engagement

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Archived Meetings

• The 2025 Development Town Hall included updates on this project. View a summary and recording here!
• The Ashland Avenue resurfacing project was announced at the 40th Ward Infrastructure Town Hall on June 5th. Watch the video presentation (Ashland Avenue section begins at 19:53).

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