Beginning, Monday, November 6, there will be lane closures and alternate traffic patterns on River Street between Prairie Street and North Avenue as an environmental cleanup project for Nicor Gas and ComEd begins a new phase.

During the project, River Street will be closed between Prairie Street and North Ave. Drivers will be directed to follow the detour using Prairie, Lake and Gale Streets.

The intersection of Prairie St. and River St., and the intersection of North Ave. and River St. will remain open initially. However, later in the project the intersection of North Ave. and River St. will be closed.

 In addition, the following alternate traffic patterns will be in place:

• Left turns onto River Street from westbound North Avenue are restricted. Drivers will only be able to turn right on northbound River St.  Drivers will need to follow the detour taking River St. to Gale St. to Lake St. to Prairie St. back to River St. to go south on River St.
• Left turns onto River Street from eastbound Prairie are restricted. Drivers will only be able to turn right on southbound River St.  Drivers will need to follow the detour taking Lake St. to Gale St. to River St. to go northbound on River St.

During the initial phase of work, trucks will use the same posted detour as cars.  A separate truck detour will be posted in later phases of the project, when the intersection of North Ave. and River St. is closed.

The project is expected to be completed in 18 months, conditions permitting.