Street improvements add to road construction in North Aurora

North Aurora drivers can expect even more construction to improve roads this summer after the village approved $1.4 million for local street improvements earlier this week.

Each year the village spends about $1 million to improve streets in older subdivisions and this year the targeted streets will be near the much larger construction project on Oak Street.

Work on the smaller streets involves completely rebuilding some and resurfacing others as well as adding sidewalks wherever possible, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock said.

Glock said Harmony Drive and Kingswood Drive from Willow Way to Cherry Tree Court will be completely rebuilt. West State Street from Willow Way to Chantilly Lane is set to have potholes filled and resurfaced.

The board approved the $1.4 million contract to Geneva Construction, though it will not take effect until June 1. Construction could run into October, Glock said.

The construction on these three streets will be just south of the summerlong reconstruction and widening of Oak Street, which was made one-way for the duration of the project.

Oak Street is already causing some headaches for drivers, Police Chief Tom Fetzer said. In the first 10 days since construction began April 14, police issued 70 tickets in or near the construction zone. He said cars going the wrong way accounted for many of the violations.

To alleviate some of the traffic hassle, the construction on Harmony and Kingswood might be staggered Glock said.

On the east side of the Fox River, Long Avenue from Route 25 to Hill Avenue and Clearwater Drive from Route 25 to the dead end will be redone, Glock said.

Clearwater will be the only street on the list which does not have sidewalks added. Long Avenue will also have a water main replaced.