Construction Updates

11/21/12

The contractor is now planning to pave the asphalt surface on Downer Place on Monday. During the work day on Monday there will be a full closure of Downer Place between IL 25 and River; and traffic on Stolp Avenue will not be permitted to cross Downer Place.

11/16/12

As the Downer Place bridge construction project winds down, the road will be closed and parking will be impacted during several days in the next week.

Construction crews will begin resurfacing the road on Downer Place between Broadway Avenue (Route 25) and River Street starting this weekend. The scheduled traffic and parking closures will take place on:

• Saturday, Nov. 17 – Downer Place will remain open to traffic, but there will be no parking at the meters in order for the contractor to mill existing pavement in preparation for resurfacing.
• Tuesday, Nov. 20 and Friday, Nov. 23 – Downer Place will be closed to traffic between Broadway and River, including the intersection of Stolp Avenue (traffic on Stolp Avenue will not be allowed to cross Downer Place) in order to complete paving work.

Impacted businesses have been notified about the closures.

Crews have been pouring concrete for the bridge sidewalks this week. Work on the concrete railings is progressing on both bridges, and electricians are scheduled to install ornamental light poles starting Nov. 19.

In addition to the resurfacing work, crews will be adding curb and gutters to Downer Place in the next week.

The nine-month project is nearing substantial completion, and the City anticipates opening the bridges to vehicular traffic in the coming weeks.

11/08/12

Parking spots near City Hall will be closed starting Thursday, Nov. 8 as part of the Downer Place bridge construction project.

A lane of traffic heading westbound on Downer Place between Broadway Avenue and Water Street will remain open, but crews need to use the parking spaces on both sides of the street to install conduit and road resurfacing. Bags will be placed on the parking meters and parking will be prohibited. That segment of Downer Place will be milled from curb to curb Nov. 9 in preparation for resurfacing. Once the pavement milling is completed, the bags will be removed from the meters, and parking will be made available.

City Hall parking is available with spaces and parking lots located off Water Street.

Also, parking on the south side of Downer Place between Hoyt Place (west of the West Bridge) and River Street will be closed Nov. 9 for previously arranged conduit installation and pavement milling.

11/02/12

Next week, crews will be installing the water main that is attached to the north side of the Downer Place bridges as well as the utility conduits (for future electrical and communication cables) that are attached to the south side of the bridges. The latter project will result in temporary lane closures on Downer Place between Broadway Avenue (Route 25) and River Street.

The electrical work will necessitate the closure of the south lane and south parking spaces on Downer Place at various times next week. The City’s project manager anticipates this work will be occurring between Broadway and Water Street from Tuesday to Thursday, Nov. 6 to 8, and between the West Bridge and River Street from Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 7 to 9.

Impacted business owners are being informed about the temporary lane closures this week.

A concrete wearing surface was placed on the East Bridge Oct. 31, and the West Bridge wearing surface is being installed Nov. 2. There still will be other concrete pours for the bridges, including the approach pavement, sidewalk and bridge railing.

The project still is on track for completion by mid- to late November.

In the past few weeks, the outlook tops on all the piers have been installed, and the pier closure pours have been completed. The contractor has been installing the arched fascia panels to the bridge, which continued into this week.

10/31/12

The concrete wearing surface was placed on the East Bridge Oct. 31, and the West Bridge wearing surface is scheduled to be installed Nov. 2. There still will be other concrete pours for the bridges, including the approach pavement, sidewalk and bridge railing.

The project still is on track for completion by mid- to late November.

In the past few weeks, the outlook tops on all the piers have been installed and the pier closure pours have been completed.

The contractor has been installing the arched fascia panels to the bridge, which continued into this week.

Next week, crews will be installing the water main that is attached to the north side of the bridges as well as the utility conduits (for future electrical and communication cables) that are attached to the south side of the bridges.

10/05/12

Construction crews have poured all the piers and abutments, and all the interior deck beams have been set on both Downer Place bridges.

All of the substructure fascia panels have been installed. The closure pours are about 60 percent complete, and work has begun on placing half-rounded sidewalk bump outs on the bridges. Work will continue on these projects during the next two weeks.

Next week, crews will install arched fascia pieces on the West Bridge. After that is completed, outer deck beams will be set on the bridge.

09/21/12

Construction crews have set the beams for the west span of the Downer Place West Bridge this week. The final set of beams will be placed on the east span of the West Bridge in the coming days.

Fascia panels have been installed on the East Bridge and concrete closure pours have begun to connect the different decks and abutments. That same work will continue on both bridges throughout the next week.

Motorists heading to City Hall or near Downer Place and Stolp Avenue are advised to use caution and pay attention to flaggers as heavy construction equipment used to build the bridges remains in the area.

08/29/12

Construction crews are installing concrete beams to the west and center spans of the Downer Place East Bridge this morning. Beams are scheduled to be installed at the West Bridge this afternoon.

Motorists heading down Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora should be mindful of heavy construction equipment and crews working in the area today.

Photos of the beam installation can be found on the City’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/cityofaurorail

08/27/12

Motorists heading to City Hall Tuesday, Aug. 28 will need to be mindful of concrete trucks traveling through the area as part of the Downer Place bridge construction project.

Fifteen trucks will be used to pour concrete for the East Bridge’s east abutment Tuesday afternoon. Several parking spaces on Downer Place east of Water Street will be unavailable between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in order to stage the concrete trucks. Crews have been installing reinforcing steel in preparation for the concrete pour Aug. 28.

On the West Bridge, crews planned to remove forms and falsework from the east pier Aug. 27. Paving work also is taking place today from Hoyt Place to the west limit of the project.

Last week, construction crews finished installing water and sewer services on the west side of the West Bridge.

08/15/12

The next phase of the Downer Place bridge construction project aimed at enhancing the vitality of the downtown and reducing pollutants entering the Fox River is set to begin Monday, Aug. 20.

The Downer Place streetscape project consists of the removal and replacement of the sidewalk and curb and gutter on both sides of Downer Place between the bridges. The final product will include landscaped areas, rain gardens with native plantings, wider sidewalks and shorter, pedestrian-friendly brick crosswalks.

The City will construct rain gardens on the two south side corners of the Downer Place and Stolp Avenue intersection. The rain gardens will remove pollutants from storm water by filtering the runoff through native plantings and engineered soils prior to finding its way into the Fox River. The project is being paid in part with a $70,000 Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Program sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The new Downer Place vision stems back to a 2010 workshop with business owners and other local stakeholders giving input on how the street could be reshaped to best enhance Aurora’s downtown and provide more accessibility to businesses. When the new bridges open in November, the City plans to convert Downer Place and Benton Street between Broadway Avenue and Locust Street into two-way roadways with four-way stop signs at Stolp Avenue, replacing the current traffic signals. Downtown Benton Street already has been designated two-way this year as part of the Downer Place bridge detour route.

A majority of the streetscape work should be completed by mid-November. Plantings and the installation of brick crosswalks will be finished next spring.

The City’s goal is to minimize inconveniences caused by construction to the local business owners by maintaining access to their buildings. However, temporary sidewalk closures will be unavoidable during certain construction periods.

The City’s Downer Place bridge construction manager, HR Green, will be overseeing the streetscape work and assisting the downtown businesses and residents with any concerns. Downtown stakeholders who have questions about the project can call Brad Thompson with HR Green at 815-693-8905 or City Engineer Lonnie Avery at 630-256-3200.

08/07/12

Residents can get a sneak peak at the new decorative lighting slated for the Downer Place bridges by viewing a prototype fixture located outside the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.

Photos of the light also can be found on the City’s Facebook page. The lighting fixture will be moved to the new bridges along with the installation of the remaining decorative lights.

Precast fascia panel and concrete bridge railing mock-up displays will be set up on the south end of Water Street Mall on the west side of the Aldermen’s Office, 60 E. Downer Place. The mock-ups are intended for review by the City to verify textures and finishes prior to final approval for the bridge project. The City already has approved the decorative lighting units.

Construction crews have removed pavement, curb and gutter from Downer Place west of the West Bridge last week and continue working on the abutments of both bridges this week.

07/31/12

People heading to City Hall Wednesday, Aug. 1 will need to pay attention to flaggers who will be directing traffic due to concrete trucks expected in the area for the Downer Place bridge construction project.

Construction crews will be pouring 258 cubic yards of concrete, which is equal to more than 1 million pounds, for the east pier of the East Bridge Aug. 1. The flagger will be guiding both vehicles and pedestrians through the Downer Place and Water Street intersection throughout the day.

Parking in front of City Hall will be further limited with the concrete work. Residents may want to consider using the parking lot at Benton and Water streets.

Motorists are also reminded Hoyt Place will be closed from south of Waubonsee Community College’s garbage receptacles to Downer Place through Wednesday, Aug. 22 so work crews can install a sanitary sewer and reconstruct the driveway apron.

Motorists will still be able to enter and exit Hoyt at Galena Boulevard in order to access the college’s parking, back entrance and the Aurora Business Center. However, they won’t be able to continue south on Hoyt and exit to Downer.

07/10/12

The west pier of the East Bridge is now completed after crews placed 261 cubic yards of concrete, which is equal to more than 1 million pounds.

An underground vault underneath Downer Place near the West Bridge was sealed and filled with concrete to ensure the street could safely handle the heavy construction equipment needed as part of the project. Work is now focused on the forming the west pier of the West Bridge this week.

Once that is completed, crews will install coffer damns at the west abutment of the East Bridge.

06/13/12

Construction crews are installing reinforcing steel on the west pier of the East Bridge this week and plan to place concrete for the pier by week’s end.

After the west pier of the East Bridge is constructed, crews will move to the West Bridge and construct the west pier.

Work is ongoing to stabilize the ground in certain areas along Downer Place to maintain proper safety levels for heavy construction equipment needed to work on the bridge project.

05/23/12

Construction crews are completing placement of shotcrete for the repair of the lower portion of the west pier at the west bridge.

On the east bridge, concrete is being removed for the repair of the lower portion of the west pier.

After repairs are complete, the next steps are to form, reinforce and place concrete for the upper portion of the piers and abutments.

05/04/12

Construction activities have resumed on the Downer Place bridge project. Minor concrete removal and repairs have been made this week to the east pier of the west bridge and on the west abutment of the east bridge.

In the coming weeks (weather permitting), work crews will be forming and pouring concrete on the lower portions of the pier as well as continuing the removal of bridge demolition material on both west abutments.

04/06/12

Demolition work was completed on both Downer Place bridges last week except for a small amount remaining at each abutment.

D Construction has a material delivery scheduled later this month and work will begin on the west pier of the west bridge.

Coffer damns were installed prior to April 1 to isolate the abutments and piers from the Fox River. Construction work can take place within the coffer damns but not outside of the barriers between April 1 and June 15 due to fish spawning restrictions per the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Starting this month, some parking on the north side of Benton Street has been made available to the public. Meters that still have bags over them are not designated parking spots.

03/14/12

Demolition work has shifted to the Downer Place west bridge this week as crews already have removed the structure’s center span.

D Construction was able to start demolition after completing building entry support at 31 W. Downer Place last week. Construction crews started demo work on the east span of the west bridge today. They will then move to the west span afterward.

While a majority of the Downer Place east bridge demolition is complete, work is expected to resume later this week to take out the abutments at the bridge using small jackhammers.

03/06/12

The riverwalk at Downer Place in downtown Aurora will be closed temporarily as demolition work continues on the last segment of the east bridge.

Signage will be posted along the riverwalk on Benton Street, Downer Place and Galena Boulevard notifying pedestrians of the closure. The west span of the east bridge is all that remains of the structure, and demolition on final portion is scheduled to take place this week.

On the west bridge, pavement and sidewalk were removed last week. Construction crews also have been working on building support for the Aurora Business Center, and river protections should be installed in the water in the coming days. Demolition on the west bridge could start later this week or next week.

Vertical traffic barricades were placed back on Benton Street last week to remind motorists that traffic remains two-way between Broadway Avenue and River Street as part of the Downer Place bridge detour route.

02/24/12

Starting late this week, the traffic barriers separating east and westbound traffic on Benton Street in downtown Aurora were removed.

Traffic will remain two-way for the next nine months as part of the Downer Place bridge construction project detour route. Both century-old bridges spanning the Fox River will be torn down and replaced before being reopened to traffic in November.

Demolition work began on the east bridge this week. On the west bridge, pavement is expected to be removed next week and building supports will be installed. Throughout the project, the work on the east bridge will be slightly ahead of the west bridge.

At the February Aurora Downtown bridge update discussion, business owners were provided with a construction timeline:

• Coffer damns will be installed after demolition and prior to April 1 to isolate the abutments and piers from the river.
• Construction work in the river cannot take place between April 1 and June 15 due to fish spawning restrictions per the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
• Pre-cast deck beams and fascia panels will be set by July; other concrete work takes place from August to October.
• Hoyt Place at Downer Place will be closed between Aug. 1 and Aug. 21 to install a sanitary sewer and reconstruct the driveway.
• Roadway work including curb and cutter, sidewalk removal and replacement, and pavement resurfacing of Downer Place between Broadway and River will occur in October.
• Ornamental light poles will be installed, and the bridges will be sealed and stained by the end of October.
• The bridges will be reopened to traffic in November 2012; the entire project should be completed in spring 2013.

02/20/12

The pavement has been removed from the Downer Place east bridge and barriers have been installed to protect the Fox River. Demolition of the east bridge is expected to begin this week.

Work on a building support for the structure at 31 W. Downer Place, the ABC Office Building, also is slated to begin this week. The support is needed before demolition of the west bridge can move forward.

02/08/12

The Downer Place bridges are scheduled to be closed for pedestrians starting Thursday, Feb. 9.

The bridges were shut down to vehicular traffic Feb. 6, but additional barricades will be installed tomorrow closing the areas to pedestrians. People walking in the downtown can still cross the Fox River on either Galena Boulevard or Benton Street.

Businesses on Downer Place remain open during construction, and parking is available in the Stolp Avenue parking garage.

02/06/12

The Downer Place bridge project in downtown Aurora is officially underway today as the bridges were closed to traffic for the next nine months.

Traffic is being detoured south down Broadway Avenue to Benton Street, which is now designated a two-way road between Broadway and River Street. Motorists can head west on Benton Street, north on River Street and then continue west on Downer Place to complete the detour.

Motorists also are encouraged to use New York Street and North Avenue to bypass the Downer Place construction zone.

Both Downer Place bridges spanning the Fox River will be torn down and replaced this year. The project is expected to take about nine months before the new bridges are reopened to vehicular traffic.

02/03/12

With the Downer Place bridges prepared to close Monday, Feb. 6, motorists driving through downtown Aurora should take notice of the new traffic patterns and signals.

Traffic will be detoured south down Broadway Avenue to Benton Street, which will be designated a two-way road between Broadway and River Street throughout the construction period. Motorists can head west on Benton Street, north on River Street and then continue west on Downer Place to complete the detour.

Three downtown intersections have had signal modifications as part of the bridge closure or detour route. They include:

• Benton Street/River Street – A protected left-hand turn from eastbound Benton to River will be active starting Feb. 6. Temporary lights have been added for westbound Benton as part of the new two-way traffic pattern.
• Stolp Avenue at both Benton Street and Downer Place – Both intersections have been turned to all-way stops with flashing red lights and stop signs.

With downtown Benton becoming two-way, parking on the north side of the street between River and Broadway will be temporarily suspended until further notice. Other ancillary signage will be posted next week to help motorists to their downtown destinations.

Motorists also are encouraged to use New York Street and North Avenue to bypass the Downer Place construction zone.

Both Downer Place bridges spanning the Fox River will be torn down and replaced this year. The project is expected to take about nine months before the new bridges are reopened to vehicular traffic.

01/31/12

The intersection of Downer Place and Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora is now a three-way stop with flashing red lights. With the Downer Place bridge project starting Feb. 6, the City will be holding a ceremony Feb. 3 to bid farewell to the oldest bridges in Aurora. Downer Place from Stolp Avenue to Hoyt Place will be closed from 4 to 5 p.m. to vehicular traffic for the event.

01/30/12

Work on temporary traffic signals and signs along Benton Street from Broadway to River is continuing and temporary striping has been completed on Benton. The north lane of Benton Street is now closed and will remain closed until February 6 when Downer Place closes, construction will begin on the bridges, and Benton will become a two-way thoroughfare.

01/27/12

Work on temporary traffic signals and signs along Benton Street from Broadway to River is continuing and preparations are underway to apply temporary striping on Benton. The application of the striping, which is weather dependent, has necessitated the closure of the north lane on Benton Street until February 6 which is when Downer Place will close, construction will begin on the bridges, and Benton will become a two-way thoroughfare.