Naperville awards $4.9 million bid for downtown streetscape project

After years of planning and delays, the Naperville City Council awarded a $4.9 million bid for a downtown streetscape project with hopes of completing it by late August.

RW Dunteman Company's winning bid beat higher estimates from four other construction companies. An engineer's study estimated the cost at $5.1 million, nearly 5% higher than the bid amount.

The work will occur along Jefferson Avenue between Main and Webster streets, and along Main Street between Jackson and Jefferson avenues. Weather permitting, the city hopes to begin construction on March 1.

The project was delayed in 2021 to mitigate the burden on surrounding businesses struggling through COVID-19 restrictions. City officials stressed the need to act now or risk having to wait until possibly 2024 because of anticipated reconstruction of the Washington Street bridge.

The plan is to replace pavement with asphalt travel lanes and concrete parking lanes, and replace curbs, gutters, sidewalks, brick pavers and driveways. Storm sewers and water mains also will be serviced.

Street lighting will be replaced as part of a new underground electric infrastructure. There will be raised planters, streetscape furniture and added landscaping.

The project includes phased work schedules that will close portions of the streets at times.