Title
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An Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on the Enforcement of Section 15-1-4 (“Trucks and Buses Prohibited, Locations”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Allow Truck Traffic on Chicago Avenue until December 31, 2026, in the Village of Oak Park
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Introduction
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The Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project will include closures of portions of Oak Park Avenue. Through traffic on Oak Park Avenue will be detoured to Ridgeland Avenue or Harlem Avenue then using Chicago Avenue to get back to Oak Park Avenue during portions of the project. The moratorium on enforcement of Section 15-1-4 of the Village Code allows trucks to use Chicago Avenue which normally does not allow for truck traffic.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
There is no prior Board action associated with this item.
Background
The Oak Park Avenue Streetscape Project includes closures of portions of Oak Park Avenue to allow for construction work to safely and efficiently take place. Through traffic on Oak Park Avenue will be detoured to Ridgeland Avenue or Harlem Avenue, then using Chicago Avenue to get back to Oak Park Avenue during portions of the project (see attached detour route). The detour to Chicago Ave. will primarily be in place during the first half of the project while water and sewer work is occurring north of Lake Street. The detour from Chicago Avenue will be shifted to Lake Street once Oak Park Avenue is reopened north of Lake. Local traffic on Oak Park Avenue will be allowed to flow up to the actual road closure segments to access the Hemingway business district. All of the detours have been approved by IDOT since they utilize Harlem and Ridgeland Avenues, which are State highways.
Per Village Code Section 15-1-4, trucks are not allowed on Chicago Avenue. In order to implement the detours and allow for trucks to navigate around the road closures, the Village will need to not enforce this code. The moratorium on enforcement of Section 15-1-4 of the Village Code will last until December 31, 2026, or until the posted detours for the Oak Park Avenue work are removed, whichever comes first.
There is very minimal through truck traffic that will divert off of Oak Park Avenue to use Chicago Avenue as a result of the project since Oak Park Avenue carries a minimal amount of through truck movements due to sever height restrictions at the viaduct between North and South Boulevards. However, the detour and allowing trucks on Chicago Avenue is required in order to close Oak Park Avenue.
Timing Considerations
Adoption at this time will allow for allowing trucks on Chicago Ave. when construction starts for the Oak Park Avenue project.
Budget Impact
There is no budget impact associated with this item.
Staffing Impact
There is no staffing impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
There is no DEI impact associated with this item.
Community Input
There has been no community input given in relation to this item. The posted detour has been approved by IDOT and coordinated with the Village of River Forest since traffic control devices will be installed in River Forest.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance.
Advantages:
• This action will allow for deliveries and other services to reach their destinations.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to this recommendation.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Advantages:
• Board Members would be presented with the additional information they requested.
Disadvantages:
• The timing of the eventual Board action will impact the desired implementation schedule.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By: Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance
2. Detour Plan