More River Road construction starting soon

A long-planned reconstruction of a segment of River Road in Des Plaines is expected to start once utility poles are relocated, city officials said.

The city council this week authorized the $13.4 million rebuilding of River Road from Fargo Avenue to just south of Henry Avenue. The project will also modernize the traffic signals and lighting at Oakton Street.

The rebuild is expected to be done by May 2016, said Jon Duddles, Des Plaines' assistant director of public works and engineering.

River Road between Devon and Touhy was rebuilt for $14 million in 2010 and 2011.

Design work for the final phase of the project, reconstruction of River from Henry to Rand Road, is being done now. The state is paying the bulk of the project's costs - for pavement and storm sewers - but the city will pay for the new water main being installed under River Road, Duddles said.