Work begins on Route 7 in Lockport as other road projects are scheduled

Lockport — As spring comes into full bloom, so, too, does construction season in Illinois.

Although some larger projects, including the Route 7 channelization project, began by early spring, several smaller-scale Lockport construction projects are scheduled to start this month and later in the summer.

The city’s annual resurfacing work and repair work on the Adams Street headwall and railing are slated to start this month.

The Adams Street project will include the removal and replacement of sidewalks, metal railings and the concrete headwall between Valley Lane and Grandview Avenue. It is slated to be completed by August.

The resurfacing work will be ongoing through September and will focus on “roadways in greatest need of repair throughout the city,” according to Lockport’s newly launched construction page on its website.

This year, the areas of primary focus will be in the subdivisions of Abbey Glen, Creekside Estates South, Fields, Parker Ridge and Pueblo Point. The full list of streets that will be resurfaced is available online.

Lockport Public Works Director Brian Lovering said residents on affected streets will be notified within 48 hours of work beginning and will be warned if access to their driveways will be limited.

Along with the Route 7 (9th Street) project, a road reconstruction and water main project also is underway. The project includes replacing water mains; improving storm sewers; pavement widening and resurfacing; sidewalk, curb and gutter repairs; streetscape improvements; landscaping; and improvements to Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility on sidewalks and crossings.

The project began in March and affects 12th Street from State to Garfield, Washington Street from 11th Street to 13th Street, and Lincoln Street from 9th Street to Division. Construction is expected to last through September.

According to a website update, most of the water and sewer mains have been installed, and water service installations have begun. Road replacement is scheduled to begin soon.

Lovering emphasized that none of the roadwork projects taking place will create long-term detours, although he noted that there may be some short-term changes to traffic conditions while individual lanes are closed for work.

The final major construction project slated for 2024 is Briggs Street lift station improvements, which began in April and are expected to be completed in December. The station is located at the southwest corner of Briggs Street and Parkview Lane and is being replaced with new equipment and controls. The project encountered a slight delay getting started but now is underway again.

Updates for the projects are being periodically posted online.