A major infrastructure project on North Main Street in downtown Edwardsville is set to begin on January 5, according to an announcement from the City of Edwardsville. The North Main Street Water Main & Streetscape Project will include several upgrades such as replacing a water main that is over 120 years old, adding safety and accessibility features for pedestrians, updating streetscape elements, resurfacing the road, and overhauling sewer lines.
The planned improvements cover approximately a quarter mile of North Main Street, stretching from just south of Vandalia Street to slightly north of Hillsboro Avenue. Later stages will also upgrade a section of water main in the 100 block of West Vandalia Street.
Two-way traffic will remain open for most of the construction period, which is expected to end in July. However, drivers can expect lane shifts and the removal of parking spaces along the eastern side within the construction zone. Additional public parking will be available behind affected businesses between North Main and North Kansas streets as well as other locations downtown.
When finished, the area will feature native plantings and trees, curb bump-outs with crosswalks equipped with flashing beacons, ADA-accessible thresholds for local businesses, new pavement surfaces, improved fire suppression capabilities, and increased reliability from a larger water main. “A project of this scope will pose some challenges while underway; however, this work is essential to reduce the risk and occurrences of water main breaks and other system failures that are more common in aging infrastructure.” Signs outside the work zone will inform visitors that businesses remain open during construction. Keller Construction serves as general contractor for this project.
Work is scheduled to start with traffic adjustments and sewer line upgrades near Hillsboro Avenue before moving south down Main Street. This phase will be followed by installation of the new water main and service connections. Despite potential weather delays during winter months, both sewer and water work are expected to proceed through colder conditions. Sidewalk replacement, streetscape enhancements, and road resurfacing are planned for spring and summer. Updates about project progress can be found at www.cityofedwardsville.com/cityprojects.
In addition to these improvements, a one-block stretch of St. Louis Street next to North Main Street will close permanently during this period. That segment—from North Main to North Second streets—will first serve as a staging area before being converted into Goshen Commons downtown park later in spring.
Funding for approximately $2.87 million of these upgrades comes from a Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program grant announced by Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in August 2022.
