Project Updates

Public Works

* Updated 4-11-2012

Spring is almost here and with it comes the continuation of the $10.3 million CTA project to replace the Purple Line viaducts at Grove, Dempster and Greenleaf Streets in Evanston. Last fall, city residents witnessed repairs to the retaining wall along Chicago Avenue from Madison Street to South Boulevard. In fact upon closer inspection the wall looks almost completely new! Additionally, contractors completed 95% of the preparatory and foundation work at each of the three sites allowing them complete work on the viaducts at a slightly more accelerated pace than originally planned. (Some final foundation work needs to take place at the southeast corner of Dempster St. It is scheduled for the week of March 12th.)

Beginning in March you will see the contractors returning to Evanston to continue their critical work. They will set up their work sites and begin to construct the new bridges immediately adjacent to the existing bridges. The plan is to replace the almost 100 year old existing viaducts with modern, new steel bridges at the three sites throughout the spring an early summer. These new viaducts will be more visually appealing, changing the flow of customers to business on both sides of the viaducts, creating greater opportunities for economic development. Neighbors previously divided by old, run-down viaducts will be united, reaching neighborhoods to both the east and the west. The bridges’/viaducts’ footprints will be smaller, allowing for better sightlines for pedestrians and drivers increasing safety for both. The trains along the line will be able to run a bit faster, delivering people to locations throughout Evanston and Chicago with greater ease and speed.

East/west traffic flow will be maintained throughout most of the project on Greenleaf and Dempster Streets throughout the spring and summer. As stated earlier, CTA does have to complete work on the southeast corner caisson foundation on the Dempster Street Bridge that will require a three day closure sometime in early to mid-March. (Details will be sent out when finalized) West bound traffic along Grove will be maintained (remain) throughout the project, but East bound traffic will be detoured (restricted) until project is completed. The only caveat is that each site will be closed to traffic for one weekend each when the bridges get put into place. Train traffic on the Purple Line will also be disrupted those weekends. Roll-in weekend for each viaduct will be in June. (Please see below).

(Greenleaf Viaduct, Date 4-11-12)

Spring 2012 Timeline for CTA Viaduct Project

March 2012

March 15-18, 2012 – the final foundation work on the southeast corner of the Dempster Street Viaduct will result in the closure of Dempster Street at Sherman Place from March 15 to March 18, 2012. Construction crews will install the final piles on which the new CTA bridges will sit.

Dempster Detour.pdf

March 19, 2012 - Staging area begins at Greenleaf Street site within the Jewel/Osco parking lot on Chicago Ave.

March 23, 2012 – Steel Delivery – Greenleaf Street

April 2012

*April 16, 2012 (Old Date was April 9, 2012) - Staging areas begins at Grove Street (south side of Grove St. between Sherman Ave. and the viaduct)

* April 18, 2012 (Old Date was April 13th, 2012) - Steel Delivery – Grove Street will be closed near viaduct (Detour in effect)
Grove Detour.pdf

April 23, 2012 (Old Date was April 16th, 2012) Staging areas begins at Dempster Street (on Sherman Place from Dempster Street north approximately 120 feet will be closed)

April 25, 2012 (Old Date was April 20th, 2012) - Steel Delivery – Dempster Street will be flagged (Slight Delays possible)

East/west traffic will remain ongoing throughout the project on Greenleaf and Dempster Streets except when otherwise noted above. West bound traffic along Grove Street will remain throughout, but east bound traffic will be restricted until the project is completed unless otherwise noted above.

May 2012
Work continues at all three sites.

June 2012
Week of June 4th-10th Roll-in of new viaduct at Greenleaf Street

Greenleaf Street Site will be closed approximately with work running continuously for 48 straight hours from the evening of June 8th-June 10th.
CTA service along the Purple Line will be disrupted for the weekend at this area with riders being bused between Main Street and Davis Street Stations

Greenleaf Detour1.pdf

Week of June 18th -24th Roll-in of new viaduct at Dempster Street and Grove Street

Grove Street and Dempster Street Sites will be closed approximately with work running continuously for 48 straight hours from the evening of June 22nd -June 24th.
CTA service along the Purple Line will be disrupted for the weekend at this area with riders being bused between Main Street and Davis Street Stations

Dempster Detour.pdf

Grove Detour.pdf

July – August 2, 2012

Clean-up work at all three sites

Please check back often for updates

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2011 Updates

November 22

*The CTA Retaining Wall work along Chicago Avenue requires some additional time due to unforeseen deterioration. It will now be completed on December 9th.

Greenleaf Street will be closed at the CTA viaduct from November 28 through December 16. Please see detour. Greenleaf Detour1.pdf

November 14

The CTA Retaining Wall work along Chicago Avenue requires some additional time due to unforeseen deterioration. It will now be completed on December 3rd.

October 26

There have been some slight changes to the upcoming viaduct work schedule. Changes are outlined below.

Grove St.

Due to be completed by October 23rd; now extended through October 28th.

Dempster St. (From Sherman Ave. to Sherman Place)

Due to be closed October 24-November 6; revised schedule closes Dempster from October 31 through November 18th.

Greenleaf St. (From Custer Ave. to just east of the viaduct)

Due to be closed beginning on November 7th through November 20th; revised schedule closes Greenleaf from November 28 through December 16th.

Greenleaf Street will remain open during the week of Thanksgiving.

October 21

Grove St.

The Grove Street closure will be extended until October 28. The closure will still be to the east of the Grove Street CTA viaduct and to the west of the Metra bridge. Please click here Grove Detour.pdf for the traffic detour map.
*Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure.

Chicago Ave. Retaining Wall

Work started on the retaining wall along Chicago Ave. in September and was originally expected to be completed October 23. Unfortunately, the retaining wall had deteriorated far beyond what the original contract has shown. Therefore, the CTA contractors will continue to repair the embankment wall along Chicago Avenue from Madison Street to South Boulevard until November 11, an additional two weeks.

As part of this work, the outer southbound lane of Chicago Ave. (from Madison Street to South Boulevard) will be closed throughout the duration. One lane of traffic in each direction on Chicago Ave. will remain open throughout the duration.

October 12

Grove Street.

CTA plans to begin night work this evening at Grove Street. The work will involve vibrating foundation piles into place in preparation for the new bridge next spring. Unfortunately, the work is in close to the CTA tracks and can only be undertaken when the trains are not running (1:30am to 4:30am). This work is currently planned to take place over the next three nights (10/12, 10/13 & 10/14).

October 05, 2011

Grove Street will be closed beginning October 10th through October 23rd. The closure will be to the east of the Grove Street CTA viaduct and to the west of the Metra bridge. Please click here Grove Detour.pdf for the traffic detour map. Local access to the Rotary International building and other businesses on Grove Street will be maintained.

*Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure.