Major road and infrastructure improvements are in the works for Dundee Avenue on Elgin’s northeast side, including near Larsen Middle School, with a lengthy project that’s set to begin in early March and that will reroute traffic while underway.
“The purpose of this project is to maintain Dundee Avenue as the main vehicular route between I-90 and downtown Elgin,” said Public Services Director, Mike Pubentz.
The project will span from Enterprise Street, which is just north of Summit Street, north to the city’s jurisdictional limits at Page Avenue, Pubentz said. Phase I engineering was completed in 2019, and Phase II design was approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation in 2024.
Construction is set to begin the first week of March, weather permitting, and extend into October 2026.
“Work includes significant amounts of water main replacement, storm sewer additions and combined sewer separation which will require the schedule to extend over two construction seasons, with substantial completion expected by October 2026,” Pubentz said. “Understanding that this type of project can be very disruptive to residents and businesses, the city will work with our selected contractor to ensure the project is constructed in an orderly and timely manner.”
Initially, Elgin secured $2.5 million in federal funding through the 2024 Kane/Kendall Council of Mayors Surface Transportation Program. In June 2024, city staff successfully pursued additional funding, securing an additional $4.26 million, bringing the total funds for the project to $6.76 million.
Pubentz said the project also includes the full replacement of existing pavement, curb, gutter and sidewalk, which are all deteriorating.
“The gutters along the existing Dundee Avenue pavement have been paved over with asphalt. leaving very low curb heads causing safety and drainage issues,” Pubentz said. “By replacing the curb and gutter, both safety and drainage along the roadway will be improved.”
The installation of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalks and curb ramps along the corridor will provide access to all pedestrians, Pubentz said.
In front of Larsen Middle School, the improvements will include the extension of the existing bus lane from 100 feet to 300 feet and the installation of new concrete sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramp enhancements and new street lighting, according to a memo provided at the Nov. 3. U-46 Board of Education meeting.
At that meeting, the board approved an agreement in which Elgin will pay the district $4,000 for a permanent easement and $1,500 for a temporary easement related to the project.
With all the above, Pubentz said traffic will be rerouted with detours put in place during the work.
When driving northbound on Dundee Avenue, the detour will take drivers east on Summit Street to Illinois Route 25/Liberty Street, then north on Route 25/Liberty Street where it will return to Dundee at Congdon Avenue, Pubentz said.
When driving southbound on Dundee, drivers will head east on Page Avenue, then south on Route 25/Liberty Street, then west on Summit Street where the detour returns to Dundee Avenue.
Mike Danahey is a freelancer. Freelance reporter Gloria Casas contributed.