The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Lake Street renewal project underway

March 3, 2020 - After years of planning and preparation, a project to reconstruct, restore and renew Lake Street from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard is underway.

Construction crews will touch every inch of this important east-west commercial and retail corridor over the next few months, but the work — and its impact on motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists — will vary along the route.

The project will include new sidewalks, lighting, signals, landscaping and street furniture in the central business district and resurfacing along the entire route across the Village.

The focus between Harlem and Euclid avenues will be on creating visual continuity and improving traffic and pedestrian travel in the dense shopping area. Sidewalk clutter will be reduced, pedestrian safety enhanced and accessibility improved.

But crews also will be digging deep between Grove and Euclid avenues where the water and sewer infrastructure has not been replaced since it was installed in the 1890s and early 1900s.

The remainder of the work — between Euclid Avenue and Austin Boulevard — will primarily be resurfacing.

Vehicle access will be maintained where possible, but portions of Lake Street will need to be closed completely between Harlem and Forest avenues. However, access to businesses and nearby parking garages will be maintained.

Construction is expected to wrap up in November.

Residents are invited to visit www.betterlakestreet.com for complete details and to sign up for timely messages and updates.