Milwaukee Avenue Construction to Shift Lanes This Weekend

IRVING PARK — Auto traffic will be shifted slightly this weekend on Milwaukee Avenue as construction crews race against winter to wrap up the first phase of a major rebuilding project.

Since July, traffic on the thoroughfare has been limited to the northbound lane between Addison Street and Kilpatrick Avenue, with southbound drivers being diverted at Irving Park Road.

But from Friday to Monday, northbound autos will be shifted to the southbound lane between Kenneth and Kilbourn avenues as workers install a water main in the northbound stretch.

The shift will also require the closure of Kenneth and Kilbourn avenues on the east side of Milwaukee; Kenton and Kilbourn have already been closed to the west.

Construction is expected to come to a halt Dec. 1 and resume in the spring, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.

The project includes water main replacement, new sewers with increased capacity to help alleviate flooding, and the raising of viaducts to 14 feet to better accommodate trucks. A pedestrian refuge island will improve access to the Metra Grayland Station near Milwaukee and Kilbourn avenues, according to the city.

The street, sidewalks, curbs and gutters will be resurfaced, and new trees, benches, trash cans and light posts will provide the finishing touches.