Traffic Shift on Butterfield Rd. to Start Friday

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is working on the Illinois 56 (Butterfield Rd) widening project between Illinois 59 and Naperville Road.

Illinois 59 traffic through Butterfield Road will be shifted, weather permitting, to the new northbound lanes on Friday, Oct. 28. The existing configuration of one through lane with a left turn lane in both directions will be maintained until Nov. 11, when Illinois 59 through Butterfield Road will be opened to two through lanes with a left turn lane in both directions.

The project involves reconstructing the roadway, building an additional lane in both directions and adding a 30-foot grass median for 6.2 miles on Illinois 56 through Wheaton and Warrenville. All major intersections will be rebuilt with turn lanes and modernized, interconnected signals to improve the flow of traffic, according to a press release from IDOT. The bridges over the DuPage River’s west branch and Ferry Creek will be removed and replaced. A bike path also will be built along the side of the road. 

The first phase of the project involves building two new eastbound lanes to the south of the existing Illinois 56 in 2011. Traffic will shift to the new lanes in 2012 so the current Illinois 56 can be rebuilt as the new westbound lanes.

One lane will remain open in each direction during construction, with access to businesses and residences maintained.

The entire project is scheduled to be complete and the four lanes open to traffic in late fall 2012. 

Motorists should expect delays and allow extra time for trips through this area. Please obey the speed limit, observe closure signs and remain alert for workers. Cell phone use in work zones is illegal and subject to fines.

K Five Construction, of Lemont, is the prime contractor on the $52.6 million project. 

Correction: This project began in May, not this week. Traffic will be shifted to the new northbound lanes Friday, Oct. 28, weather permitting, according to IDOT.