A major improvement project to modernize and upgrade the infrastructure along a portion of North Main Street in downtown Edwardsville is scheduled to begin in January, the City of Edwardsville announced on Tuesday, December 23. The project will include the replacement of a more than 120-year-old water main, the addition of pedestrian-friendly safety and accessibility upgrades, enhanced streetscape features, road resurfacing and an overhaul of sewer lines in the area.
The North Main Street Water Main & Streetscape Project is set to get underway on Monday, January 5. It will entail at least $4.87 million in improvements along approximately a quarter mile of North Main Street from just south of Vandalia Street to slightly north of Hillsboro Avenue. Later in the project, a short section of water main also will be upgraded in the 100 block of West Vandalia Street, just to the west of North Main Street.
Two-way traffic is planned to be maintained for the majority of the project, which is expected to wrap up in July. However, there will be a lane shift and the elimination of parking spaces along the eastern side of the construction zone to accommodate the work. Additional public parking is available in the lot behind the impacted businesses between North Main and North Kansas streets and throughout downtown.
When it’s wrapped up, the impacted area will feature native plantings and trees, curb bump-outs and crosswalks with flashing beacons, ADA-accessible thresholds for businesses in this area, resurfaced pavement, improved fire suppression capabilities and long-term reliability from the new, upsized water main. A project of this scope will pose some challenges while underway; however, this work is essential to reduce the risk and occurrences of water main breaks and other system failures that are more common in aging infrastructure. Signage will be posted at numerous locations outside the work zone to indicate that the businesses remain open. Keller Construction is the general contractor for the project.
The estimated timeline begins in early January with traffic lane adjustments and sewer work that will begin near Hillsboro Avenue and progress south down Main Street. That will be followed by the water main installation and service connections. Although the weather can be a factor in how quickly the project will progress, the sewer and water main work can be accomplished during the colder months. Sidewalk replacement, streetscape enhancements and the resurfacing of the road will follow in the spring and summer months. Project updates will be posted at: www.cityofedwardsville.com/cityprojects
The permanent closure of a one-block area of St. Louis Street adjacent to North Main Street will coincide with the improvement project. The section of St. Louis Street between North Main and North Second streets will be transformed into the Goshen Commons downtown park beginning later this spring, but initially that area will be used as a construction staging area.
About $2.87 million of the construction costs will be funded through a Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program grant; it was announced by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in August 2022.
(Photo credit: 618 Drone Service)