Elgin traffic could get worse as road workers work OT to finish on time

The three-week construction strike that recently ended could delay several Elgin construction projects, but as of now no contractors have asked for extensions, city officials said.

City Engineer Joe Evers said contractors likely would have workers put in overtime to make up for progress lost during the strike, which ended last week.

Evers said no contractors so far have notified the city that they will need deadline extensions, but longer work hours could snarl traffic and restrict motorists around key projects.

"More activity means less access," he said. "It's really up to the contractor. None of them have asked for extensions at this point."

Last Wednesday, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 ended its strike as workers got a 3.25-percent annual increase in wages and benefits over three years.

While contractors are aiming to hit their completion dates, Evers acknowledged that weather in the fall could be a factor.

"Weather in October is a little chancier than it is in July," he said.

City spokeswoman Sue Olafson said delays from lane closures at Highland Avenue and Route 31 as part of a sewer separation project are scheduled to improve by Aug. 15. That's when motorists going west on Highland will be able to turn north or south on Route 31. Motorists currently cannot turn either way on Route 31 right now from Highland. All westbound lanes at Highland from Route 31 are supposed to reopen by Sept. 4

However, the delay in the sewer separation project also will slow the Highland Avenue reconstruction project, which was to take place after the sewer installation. The project is expected to be delayed until Sept. 30, but it could be put off until spring 2011.

Also, streetscape and underground work in the central business district is expected to be done by Nov. 19.

Route 19 just east of Shales Parkway will be closed from Monday through Aug. 23 as the Illinois Department of Transportation works to repair the bridge at the EJ&E Railroad.