TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Eric J Gallt, City Traffic Engineer
DATE: January 22, 2015
SUBJECT:title
Approval of Lake Street and River Street Two Way Conversion (Ward 4 & 6 Alderman Bill Donnell and Alderman Michael B. Saville).
body
PURPOSE:
To obtain GO Committee approval for Lake and River Street Two Way Conversion Project.
BACKGROUND:
Staff has been working on converting existing one way streets to two way streets; which to date includes Downer Place and Benton Street from Broadway west to existing two way. In addition the contract for converting Galena Boulevard and New York Street from Broadway east to two way configuration was awarded for construction in September of 2014.
The third phase will convert Lake Street and River Street from Gale Street to New York Street and include a jurisdictional transfer of River Street from IDOT to the City.
DISCUSSION:
Currently Lake Street and River Street are under IDOT's jurisdiction and part of a one-way coupling on IL Route 31 through the City of Aurora. Preliminary and Pre-final plans have been submitted to IDOT and tentative approval of the two way concept and corresponding jurisdictional transfer has been given.
The current plan shows two southbound lanes and one northbound lane on Lake Street with on-street parking being removed in order to accommodate the lane configuration. It is anticipated to have the River Street jurisdiction transferred to the City just after the completion of Lake Street conversion. The River Street plan consists of one lane in each direction with ample amount of on-street parking (Front end angled parking between Benton and Cross Street and parallel parking on the rest) made available on both sides of the streets. River Street will also include a two way bike-path on the east side of the street filling the current Fox River trail gap between Downer Place and North Avenue.
Multiple public outreach efforts have been completed including presentation at the Aurora Downtown Board of Directors December meeting and two public opens houses in January 2015. The concept has been received very well with a few comments but no objectors.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact by way of Two Concept Approval.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends approval of the Lake Street and River Street Two Way Conversion.
cc: Alderman Hart-Burns, Chairman
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Mesiacos
Alderman Mervine, Alternate