Construction to start on Dixon's Galena Avenue, Franklin Grove Road, U.S. 52
Jun. 2—DIXON — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday, June 2, that weather permitting, construction on various state routes in Dixon is beginning this week. The following roads will be affected:
* Illinois 26 (Galena Avenue) from Seventh Street to Peoria Avenue.
* Illinois 38 (Franklin Grove Road) from U.S. 52 (Chicago Avenue) to 0.3 miles west of Countryside Lane.
* U.S. 52 from River Street to Illinois 38.
Work will patch, mill and resurface roads. Also, sidewalk ramps will be reconstructed to meet ADA standards. The projects will use staged construction with temporary lane and sidewalk closures. The $4 million project is expected to be completed by the end of August.
Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area and be prepared for slow and stopped traffic.
To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices, and be alert for workers and equipment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
St. Charles looking for resident input on sidewalks
The city of St. Charles has developed a survey to gather input from residents to help with sidewalk planning in the city's neighborhoods, officials said. Resident feedback will help the city decide where sidewalks are needed, where they may not be wanted and where improvements are necessary, according to a press release from St. Charles. The survey closes July 11. The comments received will be incorporated with other criteria to help guide the city in future project selection, the release said. The survey is available at The city of Geneva is aiming to enhance electric service reliability by replacing underground utility cable in four areas throughout the community starting in July, city officials said. The 2025-26 underground electric replacement program areas include: South Harrison Street near Spring Street, July 7 to Aug. 18; James Street west of Ninth Street, Aug. 18 to Sept. 8; 2000 block of South Batavia Avenue, Sept. 9 to 26; and James Street from Third to Fifth streets, Sept. 27 to Oct. 29, according to a press release from the city. Construction dates are estimates and may be subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen factors, the release stated. The city's contractor, Utility Dynamics, will be installing conduit through utility easements and public right-of-way during the work. Electrical transformers, pedestals and street lights also will be replaced, according to the release. During the latter part of each project, the contractor will energize and connect homes to the new equipment, officials said. Scheduled power outages will be required as part of this process. The city will be sending notifications in advance of any service disruption, the release stated. The Forest Preserve District of Will County is the recipient of a $1.9 million grant for trail and road improvements through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program of the Illinois Department of Transportation. Meant to help expand local travel options and enhance a community's quality of life, the funds will support a trail that will be built in partnership with the city of Aurora and Wheatland Township Road District, according to a news release from state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora. It will stretch along the north side of Wolfs Crossing Road west from Carls Drive and on the south side east from Carls Drive, the release said. Trail users will be able to head west to Hoffman Boulevard to connect to a system of Aurora trails or east towards the forest preserve district's Normantown Trail or the Naperville Park District's Tallgrass Greenway Trail. The project is in the first phase of engineering, which includes a preliminary design alignment. Musical performers for the Last Fling celebration, scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 1 along Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville, have been announced by the Naperville Jaycees. Sammy & the Knights will kick off the party when they perform at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, followed by 7th Heaven at 8 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 30, Buckshot Bully takes the stage at noon, Fearless at 2:30 p.m., 90s Pop Nation at 5:15 p.m. and Too Hype Crew at 8 p.m. Performers on Sunday, Aug. 31, are Within 4 Days at noon, Mixtape Junkies at 2:30 p.m., the Ron Burgundys at 5:15 p.m. and headliner Sixteen Candles at 8 p.m. On the final fest day, Monday, Sept. 1, Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones play at noon and Mike & Joe at 3:45 p.m. In the beer garden, Brent Brown will perform Friday through Sunday and Michael C. Hayes on Monday. Last Fling features live music, food, beverages, a carnival and the Labor Day parade.
Time Business News
7 days ago
- Time Business News
The Hidden Engineering Behind a Perfect Sign Install
It's 4:45 a.m., and a low hum rises in the chilled morning air as a bucket truck extends toward a blank wall downtown. The crew is silent, synchronized. Tools clink. A level hovers like a compass. What looks like the final moment to a passing pedestrian—the unveiling of a new building sign—is actually the result of meticulous planning, design, and coordination. This is the part of signage no one talks about. Forget the logo for a second. Before the letters shine or the directional arrows point, there's a silent choreography happening beneath the surface. Welcome to the unglamorous but essential world of the sign install. Most people associate signage with design: the font, the colors, the message. But sign installation is its own discipline—one rooted in engineering, logistics, and on-the-ground decision-making. Installing a sign isn't just about putting something on a wall. It's about: Accounting for wall materials and structural integrity. Ensuring compliance with city codes. Managing visibility from a distance and in varied lighting. Navigating access constraints, from tight hallways to multi-story exteriors. This level of technical precision separates the professionals from the weekend DIYers. Before a single bolt is drilled, installers consult architectural drawings, elevation plans, and hardware specs. Site surveys happen weeks before install day. Load calculations are checked. Electrical pathways are planned for illuminated signs. Even a basic sign for ADA compliance—say, a bathroom label—must be mounted at a very specific height and distance from the doorframe. Precision matters. These are the silent cues that help people feel confident in a space, especially those with visual impairments or mobility challenges. The best sign companies know that a seamless experience begins long before arrival. Metal, glass, acrylic, wood—each surface responds differently to fasteners and adhesives. A sign attached to brick might require expansion anchors. One installed on drywall may need backer plates. And then there's the weather. Exterior installations in places like Raleigh must account for extreme humidity, UV exposure, and temperature shifts that cause materials to expand and contract. Choosing the right mounting system isn't just about looks—it's about durability. Companies like DesignElement Raleigh understand that longevity begins with the right material pairing and a climate-aware install. There's a delicate balance in positioning: how to make a sign visible without violating regulations or architectural harmony. For example: A corporate lobby wants a logo at eye level, but what if the wall backs into glass? A directional sign in a parking structure must be visible from moving vehicles—but not too low to obstruct pedestrian flow. Then there's accessibility. ADA signs must follow precise guidelines—typically installed 48 to 60 inches from the ground and adjacent to the latch side of a door. Misplacing even one element could make a building non-compliant. The installer becomes the final gatekeeper of legal and visual alignment. Large signage—especially those on multi-story buildings or open campuses—requires heavy equipment. Cranes, scissor lifts, or even helicopters have been used in major installs. But even small-scale projects demand smart tools: cordless drills with torque control, stud finders, laser levels, and non-abrasive adhesives for sensitive materials. It's a physical process, yes, but one built on finesse and experience. Time also matters. Install crews often work odd hours—overnight or early morning—to avoid disrupting business or traffic. And one mistake can cost more than just time: damaging a building facade or misaligned placement might mean replacing the entire sign. Once the sign is up, there's one last test. Step back. Now pretend you've never been here before. You've just pulled into the lot. You don't know where to go. Can you see the entrance sign? Does the arrow make sense? Would someone in a wheelchair find their way easily? This walk-through is more than symbolic. It's a final quality check to confirm that visibility, legibility, and logical flow align with real-world use. Great signage doesn't just deliver information—it removes confusion. Here's the paradox: a perfectly installed sign is one you don't notice. It works so well, so naturally, that no one thinks twice. That's the sign installer's true reward—not recognition, but seamless integration. Behind every wayfinding system, room placard, and brand mark is a series of choices made by people who think five steps ahead. They sweat the millimeters so visitors don't have to. And while the design process might win awards, it's the behind-the-scenes expertise that makes the sign stay secure, readable, and relevant for years. Every building tells a story. Signs are part of that story—but only if they're installed with purpose and care. That's why thoughtful, code-compliant, and professionally installed signage remains one of the most important parts of any physical environment. Done well, it vanishes into the background while guiding, informing, and welcoming every visitor. For companies like DesignElement Raleigh, it's about much more than hanging a sign. It's about building trust—silently, securely, and expertly. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Groundbreaking held for Grandmothers' Garden outdoor classroom pavilion
WESTFIELD — Mayor Mike McCabe, Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane, School Committee member Kathleen Hillman, board members and friends of the Grandmothers' Garden performed a ceremonial groundbreaking on Wednesday for the new outdoor classroom pavilion set to begin construction this week. Friends of Grandmothers' Garden board member Allen Steiger thanked everyone involved in helping to get the project to this point, singling out the mayor, councilors, the Conservation Commission and all of the volunteers. 'More to come as this takes place,' he said. Jackie McDowell, outreach coordinator for Grandmothers' Garden, said the silt fence will go up later this week, and excavation will begin next week by R.A. LaPlante Construction and Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associates, architect. McDowell said the Westfield Technical Academy's horticulture department will be doing the landscaping and planting design, under department head Nate Sperry. McDowell said the project should be completed, including an attached restroom, by September or October. In February, the City Council unanimously approved the Community Preservation Commission's funding of $528,200 for the new outdoor classroom pavilion and rest area at Grandmothers' Garden, which sits in a portion of the 10-acre Chauncey Allen Park. At the groundbreaking, McDowell said the project is a wonderful collaboration with Westfield Public Schools. The 30-by-40-foot wood pavilion will be used by local schools for nature-based programs, STEM instruction, arts, photography and community field trips. For Westfield Technical Academy across the street, they foresee class instruction for students of horticulture, construction, technology, history, science and environmental studies; and for Westfield State University, for students and faculty who are pursuing biology studies, visual arts education, environmental sciences and urban planning to use the facility. The pavilion will also be available for private classes, social and special events, small gatherings, picnics, meetings and reunions. At the groundbreaking, McDowell said the project is a wonderful collaboration with Westfield Public Schools. Elementary school STEM Coach Lindsey Ayers, also present at the groundbreaking, said with both the Westfield River and Highland elementary schools nearby, the new outdoor classroom will be a wonderful setting for studies students are already conducting on erosion and ponds. 'Doing those activities over here in an actual environment, and being able to bring students here to do projects, is really going to enhance their [education].' An ADA-compliant restroom will be built on one end of the pavilion classroom, and a paved area for seating, just outside the other end. 'A lot of people put in a lot of work, so we're thankful,' said Friends of Grandmothers Garden board member Dan Florence. 'We're looking to grow the community of Grandmothers' Garden with what we're doing here. It's gorgeous — one of the best kept secrets in Westfield,' he added. 'I'm just thrilled. It's going to make this space even more available to the community. It's a wonderful addition,' said Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane. Read the original article on MassLive.
