Preliminary work has begun at Pratt & Carpenter

by STEPHANIE CHOPORIS

Preliminary work has begun on a road construction project at the intersection of Pratt Avenue and Carpenter Road in Skokie.

The project will involve replacing the traffic signals at the intersection and installing a left turn signal for motorists turning east onto Pratt and a stacking lane for traffic traveling south on Carpenter, according to Village of Lincolnwood assistant to the public works director Ashley Engelmann.

Additional work will include road resurfacing, curb and gutter replacement and expanding sidewalks from a width of 2 feet to 5 feet.

Engelmann said that, rather than widening the street, the project will cut into the right of way on both Carpenter and Pratt. She said that temporary lane closings will occur as needed on Carpenter and possibly on Pratt.

Engelmann said that Pratt’s right turn lane will be striped and that repairs are expected to be complete by November. The project will begin as soon as a controller box for the traffic signals is delivered, Engelmann said.

The project is shared by the City of Chicago, the Village of Skokie and the Village of Lincolnwood. The Illinois Department of Transportation is helping to fund the improvements.