Outer blocks of Oak Park Avenue project reopen to traffic
On Friday, June 12, 2026, the sections from Ontario to Lake and Randolph to Pleasant streets were reopened to traffic. Street parking will remain closed until landscape restoration on those blocks is completed.
The project is on track to be substantially complete by Thanksgiving 2026.
Oak Park Avenue from Pleasant to Lake Street will remain closed to all north- and southbound traffic and street parking. East-west traffic remains open crossing the Avenue on:
• Lake Street
• North Boulevard
• South Boulevard
• Pleasant Street
• Randolph Street
All stores, restaurants, and businesses in the Hemingway District are fully open via sidewalk access!
Free 90-minute parking during construction is available Monday–Saturday (and all day Sunday) just steps away at the conveniently located Avenue Garage, 720 North Boulevard.
Please support our retail neighbors throughout construction; visit the Hemingway District website for the latest exciting District promotions and updates!
Sewer and water main replacement work is substantially complete, electrical work and pavement restoration is now under way.
Recommended thru-traffic detours are Harlem Avenue (for trucks) and Ridgeland Avenue (for all other vehicles).
Utility and transportation partners including NICOR Gas, Commonwealth Edison, and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) have also coordinated infrastructure improvements during the construction project. UPRR continues to make repairs to the viaduct and elevated railroad at Oak Park Avenue. New illuminated panels there, featuring Oak Park-themed art, will improve visibility and enhance pedestrian safety.
Sample panel concept design shown above. See final design renderings.
View archived emails:
June 11: Avenue (Partially) Reopens
June 4: New Water Main Service Launches
May 28: Forward. Every. Workday.
May 21: ‘Layering’ Progress Over the Summer Months
May 14: Planning & Progress
May 7: Paving the Way
April 30: Improvements Worth the 'Squeeze'
April 23: All Flags Flying + New Podcast
April 16: Making New Connections
April 9: What Lies Beneath
April 2: Walk This Way
March 26: The Sounds of – Recycling
March 17: A New Season of Construction
March 10: Digging Deep
March 3: Forward March
February 26: Moving Right Along
February 19: More Trees Coming This Spring
February 12: More Free Parking Throughout Construction
February 5: You’ll ❤️ to Know Construction Has Begun!
January 29: Groundhog Day Forecast?
January 22: Oak Park Avenue Stays Open
January 15: Happy ‘RENEW’ Year!