Chicago City Wire

Starting Monday, April 7, Milwaukee Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Chicago Avenue and Kinzie Street for a resurfacing and Complete Streets improvement project. This temporary restriction aims to minimize inconvenience and expedite the work, with an expected duration of around six weeks.

The project involves resurfacing the street and adding new catch basins, bus boarding islands, and bus pads, among other safety enhancements for various road users. Local access will be maintained on Milwaukee Avenue, with flaggers directing traffic as necessary. During non-working hours, one lane will remain available in each direction, though complete closures may occasionally be required, with prior notification provided.

A detour route for both vehicles and cyclists will be in place. Northbound vehicle traffic from Milwaukee/Kinzie/Desplaines will detour via Des Plaines Street, Hubbard, Ogden, and back to Milwaukee. Southbound traffic from Milwaukee Avenue and Chicago Avenue will detour using Ogden Avenue, Grand Avenue, and Des Plaines Street.

Cyclists heading northbound towards Milwaukee Avenue will detour through Kinzie, Peoria, Hubbard, and Noble. Those heading to Elston Avenue will use Des Plaines, Hubbard, Halsted, and Chicago. Southbound cyclists from Milwaukee Avenue will detour via Augusta, Noble, Hubbard, Peoria, and Kinzie. Cyclists from Elston Avenue will follow Chicago Avenue, Halsted, Hubbard, and Des Plaines to reach their destination.

"The temporary closure and detour will allow crews to complete the work more quickly and create the least overall inconvenience to the public," stated CDOT.

A signed detour route will guide both vehicle and bicycle traffic throughout the project's duration.