$13M Sheridan Road construction project to begin in Evanston

by Genevieve Bookwalter (Pioneer Press)
March 28, 2017
dWork should begin next week to widen a 1.9 miles stretch of Sheridan Road and add bike lanes in front of Northwestern University in Evanston.

Work was scheduled to begin this week to widen nearly two miles of Chicago Avenue and Sheridan Road, and add bike lanes in front of Northwestern University in Evanston. The Sheridan Road-Chicago Avenue Improvement Project will stretch from Chicago Avenue and Grove Street up Sheridan Road to the Village of Wilmette, according to city and university reports.

Weather permitting, construction had been scheduled to start Monday on the southern end of the project, according to city reports.
"It's been a long time in the works. It's desperately needed," said 1st Ward Alderman Judy Fiske.

The $13.3 million project will include rebuilding and widening the street and adding a two-way protected bike lane on the east side, according to city and university reports. It will also feature pull outs so buses can load and unload passengers without blocking traffic.

Fiske mentioned the NU freshman who was killed while riding her bike last year on Sheridan Road in an accident involving a cement truck as reason why the project is important. The City Council approved the new plans, including protected bicycle lanes, following her death.

A white "ghost bike" marks where the cyclist died in the 2000 block of Sheridan Road.

That white bicycle is "a really good reminder for everyone that this is a dangerous location," Fiske said.

The first stage of construction will focus on Chicago between Grove and Sheridan, according to city reports. Work will continue on to Sheridan between Chicago and Lincoln this summer.

Construction on Sheridan Road from Lincoln up to the Ridge Avenue and Isabella Street intersection will start in spring 2018, according to city reports.

On Friday heavy equipment, orange cones and gravel piles were stacking up on Sheridan Road between two fraternity houses in preparation of the start of the work.

Northwestern University officials said they are happy to see construction begin.

"Northwestern is pleased that the Sheridan Road improvement project is getting under way, as Sheridan is an important route for people coming to campus and is used heavily by our students, faculty and staff," said spokesman Bob Rowley. "The new configuration of the street should improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as improve traffic flow."

Evanston Police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan said about two pedestrians or cyclists are struck on Sheridan Road each year, according to police reports.

sWhile the number might seem low, "all of them are relatively pretty serious," Dugan said.

He had not received reports of anyone being struck on Sheridan Road since the cyclist was killed last fall, he said.

Fiske said she would like the city to stripe Sheridan Road as a three-lane thoroughfare with a pedestrian safety median. She also would like stoplights timed along the route.

In addition, Fiske said, she hopes the city will mark Sheridan Road in front of Northwestern as a school zone, potentially dropping the speed limit to 20 mph from the current 25 mph.

City Council dropped the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph last fall following the cyclist's death.

"If we slow traffic down a little bit and save a life, it's worth it," Fiske said.

"Sheridan Road has changed. It's not just a nice drive by campus anymore."