Watermain Work Spans SW Highway From Cicero To Central Avenues

OAK LAWN, IL - The first phase of nearly two-year-long construction project is under way in Oak Lawn, and officials are reminding residents to expect traffic pattern changes and detours throughout the village.

The project includes the installation of a potable watermain along Southwest Highway, from Kilbourn to Marion avenues. Preparatory work started in late November and workers began the first phase of construction this past week. The entire project will commence in the summer of 2019, officials said.

Current work comprises Southwest Highway between Cicero and Central avenues, where traffic is limited to one lane in each direction.

The intersections of the following streets on the south side of the highway will be closed:

• 49th Avenue
• 49th Court
• 53rd Avenue
• Raymond Avenue
• 50th Avenue
• 53rd Court
• Sproat Avenue
• 54th Avenue
• 51st Avenue
• 54th Court
• Tulley Avenue
• 55th Avenue
• 52nd Avenue
• 55th Court

Additionally, all alley intersections on the south side of Southwest Highway will be closed.

"During this time, no southbound turns will be allowed onto the above-listed streets and alleys from Southwest Highway, and no northbound traffic from these streets and alleys will be allowed to turn onto Southwest Highway," officials said, in a community alert. "Please refer to the (above) figure showing the street closures and turn restrictions."

Residents should keep their eyes peeled for signs and traffic devices, such as construction barrels and concrete barriers, that will direct traffic. The watermain installation will also cause intermittent disruptions to residents' driveway access, officials said.

"If construction barrels are in front of your driveway, they may be accessed by turning right from Southwest Highway," said the notice. "If a concrete barrier is in front of your driveway, please pull fully into the construction zone through the construction barrels placed before the concrete barrier and wait for further instruction."

No left turns from Southwest Highway will be allowed along the construction zone's stretch. Oak Lawn police will be regularly monitoring the area to ensure that traffic flow is not interrupted by left turns. Residents' water and garbage removal services will not be impacted.

Once the watermain is installed, the roadway and other concrete or asphalt areas will be restored with temporary pavement, with final pavement and landscaping work slated for the upcoming summer months. Greenery will initially be watered by contractors, but village officials urge homeowners, thereafter, to water newly grassed areas twice a week.

"We appreciate your cooperation during this project," they said. "Every attempt will be made to minimize interference with local activities, and roads will be reopened as soon as temporary pavement can be placed and construction activities have progressed further down Southwest Highway. Residents are advised to exercise caution around construction activities and equipment, and obey all posted traffic signs."

Those with questions are asked to contact Dave Leslie, water division manager, at 708-499-7746, or Steve Barrett, public works director, at 708-499-7749.

Image courtesy of the Village of Oak Lawn