June 9, 2023 —
The LaSalle Avenue Streetscape Project, which includes a number of enhancements to slow traffic speed and create safer bike and pedestrian facilities, is set to begin Monday, June 12. Construction will occur in phases and is expected to wrap up in early November.
The project begins on LaSalle Avenue at the St. Joseph River and continues to Eddy Street with much of the streetscape work occurring between the river and Hill Street. This section includes the narrowing of LaSalle Avenue to two travel lanes with a center left turn lane, addition of a protected bike lane on the north side of the street, bumpouts, on-street parking, decorative lighting and landscaping. LaSalle Avenue between Hill and Eddy streets will see revisions to lane striping that matches the streetscape section west of Hill Street. The new LaSalle Avenue will also feature raised intersections at the stoplights at Niles Avenue and Hill Street.
Westbound traffic on LaSalle Avenue will be maintained throughout the entire project. The eastbound detour for LaSalle Avenue will be south on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, then east on Colfax Avenue to Eddy Street.
Access to all businesses in the impacted areas will be maintained during construction.
Construction will be completed in three phases:
Phase 1 (June 12 through mid-August, weather permitting)
Construction will begin on the south side of LaSalle Avenue from Hill Street to the river. Motorists will only be allowed to travel westbound on LaSalle Avenue from St. Louis to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards. The Hill and Niles intersections will be open for westbound traffic to turn north.
Phase 2 (Mid-August through early October, weather permitting)
Work will move to the north side of LaSalle Avenue from Hill Street to the river. Motorists will only be allowed to travel westbound on LaSalle Avenue from St. Louis Boulevard to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Hill and Niles intersections will only be open for westbound traffic to turn south.
Phase 3 (Early September through early October, weather permitting)
Work includes the repaving of LaSalle Avenue from the river to Eddy Street, installation of a protected bike lane from Hill to Eddy Streets.
###