Gary Avenue Improvement Project

Gary Avenue illustration near Prairie

Project Update 11/18: Gary Avenue Open to Two-Way Traffic from Harrison to Jewell Road

The contractor for the Gary Avenue Improvement Project completed lane striping ahead of schedule, and Gary Avenue is now open to two-way traffic from Harrison Avenue to Jewell Road. Please note that work will continue under live traffic with flaggers directing traffic around the work area, so drivers may want to use the marked detour route to avoid temporary delays. 

As weather allows, crews will be working to put down the final layer of pavement, install the traffic light, finish paving the remainder of the pedestrian path, and install the final striping/pavement markings. Crews will complete landscaping work in the spring. The City appreciates the community's patience throughout this extensive project to widen the road over the creek, add a pedestrian path, add a turn lane and configure the intersection of Prairie and Gary for a stoplight.

Cars driving on Gary Avenue

Project Update 11/17: Road Scheduled to Reopen to Traffic Nov. 19

Weather permitting, the contractor for the Gary Avenue Improvement Project is scheduled to reopen Gary Avenue to two-way traffic between Harrison Avenue and Jewell Road on Wednesday, Nov. 19, as soon as temporary road striping is in place. 

While the roadway will be open to vehicles, crews will continue completing the remaining elements of the project as weather permits, including installing the final roadway surface, completing pavement striping, and installing the new traffic signal at Prairie Avenue. During daytime work hours, flaggers will guide motorists safely around active construction, and residents may want to use the designated detour to avoid minor delays. Please use caution when driving in the work zone.

Landscape restoration will be completed in the spring when weather conditions allow for this work. Thank you for your patience as crews work to complete these important infrastructure improvements.

Project Update 10/22: Roadway Reconstruction and Watermain Replacement Progressing; Paving Planned for Week of Nov. 1

With the bridge extension over the creek constructed, crews have been working to reconstruct the roadway between Prairie Avenue and the bridge. They are also completing the watermain replacement under the creek and installing drainage pipe under the road base. The project's electrical contractor has been working to install conduit for the new traffic signals. Paving is anticipated the week of November 1. This project is anticipated to be completed before Thanksgiving.

Project Update 9/26/25: Crews Complete Culvert; Work Begins on Bridge Deck

Crews recently finished pouring the remaining sections of the culvert (the structure that allows water to flow under Gary Avenue) and have poured the bridge deck for the expanded bridge over the creek. Work to reconstruct the roadway over the bridge will begin in the near future. 

Work has also progressed on the roadway on the north end of the project site with curb being poured. Paving the roadway base for the north part of the project is expected next week.

The City anticipates this project will be completed in November, with some landscape restoration work to follow in the spring. 

Images below: (Top) Crews have completed pouring the concrete bridge extension and are preparing to add the roadway over the bridge. (Bottom) The north end of the project site curb was poured adjacent to the new roadway.

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DSC05994

Project Update: 9/11/25: 

Bridge Extension and Pedestrian Path Work

Crews completed installing steel supports and poured concrete that form the foundation for the Gary Avenue bridge extension over the creek. Work involved driving large steel supports into the ground with a crane and hydraulic machinery, then surrounding the steel supports with concrete. This widening will allow for a pedestrian path over the creek and is a critical part of the project. 

Crews are also working on the pedestrian path and on completing reconstruction work of the roadway on the north end of the project site (closer to Jewell Road). 

Crews working to pour concrete
Crews pouring concrete around steel supports

Project Update: 8/28/25:

Hawthorne Intersection at Gary Avenue Reopened

The Hawthorne Boulevard intersecton with Gary Avenue is open. Crews completed grinding work to create a transition between the old and new pavement heights to prevent vehicle damage. We appreciate your patience. 

Project Update 8/25/25:

Hawthorne Temporarily Closed at Gary Avenue Intersection

The contractor for the Gary Avenue Improvement Project has temporarily closed access to Hawthorne Boulevard from Gary Avenue to prevent vehicle damage from uneven pavement. Crews will be grinding down the existing pavement for a smooth transition to the new roadway, and the intersection of Hawthorne with Gary Avenue is expected to reopen the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 27. 

Future work will include laying a final layer of pavement on the new road, once bridge work is complete, and then all areas of the road will be the same height. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as crews continue making progress on this project. 

Project Update 8/18/25:

If you're hearing a clanging noise in north Wheaton today, crews with the Gary Avenue Improvement Project are driving steel supports deep underground using large hydraulic machinery (which is noisy). These supports will form part of the foundation for a wider roadway over the creek near Gary & Prairie Avenue, allowing for a left turn lane at this intersection. 

Bridge steel supports 2
Bridge steel supports 1

Project Update 8/15/25: 

Bridge Extension Work Underway; Pedestrian/Bicycle Traffic Prohibited from Work Site

Crews with the Gary Avenue Improvement Project have reached an important milestone, as they prepare to install the large steel support structures that form the foundation of the bridge extension near Prairie Avenue. Preparatory work began this week, with the steel supports scheduled to be installed the week of Aug. 18.  

Pedestrians and bicyclists are strictly prohibited from the work site. This is an active construction zone with large, heavy machinery and vehicles. For your own safety, only authorized personnel associated with this project may be in the construction zone, which extends from Jewell Road to Harrison Avenue. Pedestrians and bicyclists must use an alternate route. Thank you for your cooperation.  

Gary Avenue Bridge Prep 3
Gary Avenue Bridge Prep 2

Gary Avenue at Prairie Avenue, looking south. Vehicles positioned in preparation for bridge extension.

Project Update 8/14/25:

While crews are working to resurface the center lane of Gary Avenue near Hawthorne Boulevard, drivers traveling westbound from Hawthorne Boulevard onto Gary Avenue will temporarily be unable to turn left. To travel southbound, drivers must turn right and then make a U-turn at an intersection. This temporary pattern will remain in place for approximately two weeks. 

Please use caution when driving in the work zones. Thank you for your patience as crews continue these important infrastructure improvements.

Project Update 8/1/25:

Work is continuing on the Gary Avenue improvement project, with crews working at both the north and south ends of the project area. This past week, crews installed new curb at the south end of the project (closest to Harrison Avenue) and laid new pavement in this same area. Crews will continue working at both the north and south ends of the project while they begin work on the bridge over the creek. 

Gary Avenue project - south end

Gary Avenue just north of Harrison Avenue, looking north. Crews installed a new curb and pavement.

Project Update 6/25/25:

Weather permitting, there will be two changes related to the Gary Avenue Improvement Project effective Friday, June 27, 2025, including opening temporary lanes created to improve traffic flow and a traffic change to access Rosie O Reilly's.  

  1. Starting Friday, June 27, the City plans to shift Gary Avenue traffic between Prairie Avenue and Jewell Road to newly complete temporary lanes, which will allow two-way traffic to resume on this portion of Gary Avenue. Previously, this segment was reduced to one lane using flaggers to alternate traffic while crews were working to reconstruct Gary Avenue. The newly created lanes will allow crews to continue working and decrease delays in this area.
  2. In addition, a second crew will begin working to reconstruct the roadway at the south end of the project area. To accomplish this work, starting on Friday, June 27, access to Rosie O Reilly's will be available from north of the business, instead of from Harrison Avenue south of the business. To access Rosie O Reilly's, drivers should approach the business from Gary Avenue north of the business and use the temporary access drive.  

The next steps for this project will be to complete reconstructing and widening the road north and south of the bridge and reconstructing the bridge. All work is anticipated to be completed by November, barring unforeseen circumstances.


Project Update 6/6/25:

Gary Avenue is currently reduced to one lane between Prairie Avenue and Jewell Road during the day for construction activities related to the Gary Avenue Improvement Project. This lane closure is expected to last approximately 1-2 weeks. Flaggers are on-site to direct traffic and allow motorists to access local destinations.

Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to consider alternate routes if not traveling to locations in the work zone. Please use caution in work zones and watch for flaggers and signage.

During this project phase, crews have been installing new storm sewer and performing utility relocations. Crews will soon begin widening the pavement from Jewell Road to Prairie Avenue to restore two-way traffic north of the bridge.

Project Update 3/24/25:

The contractor for this project now anticipates closing the road on Wednesday, March 26. We apologize for the multiple updates; the City has asked the contractor to keep the road open until they reach the point where it is necessary to close Gary Avenue. They have not reached that point, so the road remains open. 

Project Update 3/17/25: Gary Avenue Closure Postponed to Week of 3/24/25

The previously announced closure of Gary Avenue between Harrison Avenue and Prairie Avenue has been delayed one week, barring unforeseen circumstances. To avoid any unnecessary closures, the City is delaying this road closure until March 24, when the contractor expects to begin this portion of the project. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will continue to post updates at www.wheaton.il.us/GaryAvenue. 

Project Update: 3/3/25:

Starting the week of March 16, 2025, Gary Avenue will be closed between Prairie Avenue and Harrison Avenue as crews begin the next phase of the Gary Avenue Improvement Project. Crews will be reconstructing the roadway; expanding the culvert; adding a turn lane, stoplight and marked crosswalk at Prairie Avenue; and adding a path for pedestrians. 

See the suggested detour route map. 

This section of Gary Avenue is expected to be closed until mid-summer, once the south half of the road reconstruction is complete. This project is expected to be completed in late fall, barring unforeseen circumstances. 

Local Access Information

  • Local access will be provided to Rosie O Reilly’s from Harrison Avenue. Access to the Wheaton Sport Center will be available from Gary Avenue north of the project site, between Jewell Road and the creek. Signage will direct patrons to both establishments. 
  • Cosley Zoo will be accessible throughout this project from Gary Avenue north of the project site. 
  • Residents living in the Wheaton Oaks subdivision will use the entrance from Jewell Road to access their properties, as access from Prairie Avenue will not be available during construction. 

We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as the City works to make these important infrastructure improvements.

Previous Work

Work during fall 2024 included moving all utilities that are in conflict with the project improvements. This included relocating power poles, gas main, water main and a major communication line before any roadway work can begin. 

The Wheaton Park District is scheduled to work on the new parking lot for Cosley Zoo while construction work occurs on Gary Avenue. This work is separate from the Gary Avenue Reconstruction Project. Any questions related to the Cosley Zoo project should be directed to the Wheaton Park District. 

For more information about Gary Avenue improvements, contact the Engineering Department at 630-260-2065.

Gary Avenue Project Timeline

Archive - Phase I Information