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Argyle St. Construction Might Lead To Parking Restrictions, Lane Reductions

By Mina Bloom | February 23, 2015 5:49am
 After more than a year of planning and community meetings, officials said they've finalized the design of the upcoming Argyle Streetscape.
Argyle Streetscape Plans
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UPTOWN — For the next eight weeks, construction crews will be working to replace a century-old water main on Argyle Street, a necessary step before the street is transformed into a European-style shared streetscape this spring, according to Ald. Harry Osterman's (48th) office.

Beginning Monday, crews from the Chicago Department of Water Management will start working on the water main project. They'll start at Argyle Street and Broadway, and then move east to Sheridan Road along the north side of the street, according to the alderman's office.

The construction will cause some parking restrictions, and at some points Argyle Street will be reduced to one lane, according to Sara Dinges, a staffer in Osterman's office and the point woman for the streetscape project.

During construction, businesses on Argyle Street and the CTA station will remain open and accessible, Dinges stressed.

"It's definitely going to be busy, but everything's accessible for people," she said.

Once crews are finished with the water main project in April, the Chicago Department of Transportation is slated to start streetscape construction. Weather permitting, crews will work through the fall, Dinges said.

The $3 million streetscape project means Argyle Street is getting a new street design between Broadway and Sheridan. The design, which is more common in Europe, blurs the line between street and sidewalk by raising the street and cutting curbs while slowing traffic and creating a plaza-like feel. 

It involves widening the sidewalk on both sides of the street by about 3 feet to 15 feet and narrowing the road in each driving lane. Parking lanes will remain about eight feet across, but some parking spaces will be lost.

Osterman has said the new street design could boost business and instill a feeling of safety in the area.

The project's contractor plans to open an on-site office near Argyle, where weekly construction meetings will be held for the public.

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