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Community Corner

143rd St and LaGrange Road Construction Update

Expect continued traffic from lane closures. Watch out for workers and other cars, village says.

Drivers can expect daily single lane closures near LaGrange Road and 143rd Street this week as contractors continue road and utility improvements.

Road workers are expected to continue excavation, grading and placement of stone material for the new roadway, according to a statement from Orland Park Public Works. Installation of irrigation and electrical conduits along 143rd Street will also begin, as will the removal and installation of storm sewers.

In other words, expect traffic or plan alternative routes — if you weren't used to that already.

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Village staff is expected to notify property owners whose driveways will be impacted by work and are asking drivers to tread cautiously through work zones, so that no one gets hurt.

“The single most important thing for drivers is to be alert and not talk on cell phones while going through the construction areas,” Public Works Director Ed Wilmes said last week. “We’ve had an abundance of rear endings because of drivers not paying attention. With some time and patience the changes will settle in.”

Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Last week, contractors removed contaminated soils along 143rd Street and much of the asphalt and concrete pavement along La Grange Road. Temporary driveways have been constructed for neighboring businesses.

Substantial completion for the Orland Park portion of this massive multi-year project is November 11, 2011. Any comments, call Public Works at (708) 403-6350.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is also expected to perform work on the roadways, but a definite timeline has not been set.

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