Two projects aimed at improving pedestrian and bicycle access downtown will get underway the first week of June.

Work will require lane closures and changing traffic patterns on both Main Street/IL 64 at the 1st Street Plaza north entrance, and on Illinois Street, just west of the Fox River. Work on these projects will be coordinated to help minimize the traffic disruption through the downtown area. 

Main Street Crossing to 1st Street Plaza North Entrance 

The final phase of the 1st Street Plaza project is expected to begin the first week of June 2025 and be completed September 2025. Work includes improving pedestrian access to the plaza:  

• A new crosswalk will be installed across Main Street to the plaza’s north entrance  

• The existing traffic signal will be adjusted to shorten the wait time when a pedestrian presses the button to cross  

• The sidewalk at the north entrance of the plaza will be modified and new traffic signal heads will align with the new pedestrian crosswalks and sidewalks  

• Signal poles will be relocated to align with the new Main Street crosswalk  

Traffic Impacts 

Main Street traffic will be impacted in both directions through the project area between 2nd Street/IL Rt. 31 and Riverside Avenue.

Drivers should expect delays and changing traffic patterns, including shifting lanes, lane closures, and possibly brief road closures. Signs will be posted alerting changing traffic patterns.  

Project Details 

Visit the Main Street Pedestrian Improvements project page on the City website for more details and project updates. 

Illinois Street Crossing at the Fox River Trail 

The 2023 St. Charles Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan identified improving the crossing on Illinois Street to the Fox River Trail as a high priority.

This crossing is in a key location for people walking along the river to downtown businesses and to the 1st Street Plaza. Work is expected to begin June 2 and last approximately three months and includes: 

• Creating a new pedestrian refuge island across Illinois Street 

• Lanes on Illinois Street will be reduced to include new dedicated bike lanes between Riverside Avenue and 1st Street.

Traffic Impacts 

Expect traffic delays on the Illinois Street Bridge and on Illinois Street from South 1st Street to Riverside Avenue. Temporary disruptions to the sidewalk and entrance to Fox Island Square also are anticipated throughout the project. 

Project Details 

Visit the Illinois Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing project page on the City website more details and project updates.

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