If you have been down in the area of Washington and 75th recently you have experienced the new configuration as construction efforts move to the opposite sides of the roads. 75th, east and westbound now has two through lanes (Yes!) as well as turn lanes. Traffic is moving at a much better rate finally. Washington, on the other hand, hs multiple through lanes at the intersection but these are quickly reduced to one lane in each direction. Welcome to “Lane Wars” as pushy drivers try to force their way in.
How will all this be affected by winter traffic? Below is an excerpt from the City of Naperville site on their traffic plan for the next few months:

2009 Winter Traffic Plan

The 75th and Washington intersection improvement project is moving along as planned and on schedule. As winter approaches, the city is preparing to enact a new traffic operations plan beginning in late November thru March 2010.

75th Street

• All four lanes of 75th Street will be open to traffic, however construction activities may require temporary lane closures on occasion.

Washington Street

• All four lanes will be open through the intersection with 75th Street.  However, Washington Street from Tamarack to Hobson and from Bunting to Bluebird will remain as one lane in each direction to accommodate utility work throughout the winter.
• Side streets, Tamarack, Clyde, Bunting, and Bluebird will be closed at Washington Street.

Maintaining Washington Street as a two-lane roadway through the winter months provides the following benefits:

• Allows for a consistent work zone area that is safer for motorists and workers.
• Allows utility companies to continue to work in the area and relocate their facilities in preparation for the sound wall installation, which should be able to proceed ahead of schedule.
• Eliminates the need to use steel plates along the roadway which disturb surrounding residents and are hazardous to snow plows.

Establishes defined traffic lanes which will result in consistent and predictable traffic patterns helping to reduce motorist frustration.

If you want to keep up to date on what is going on with this construction project, Naperville has an e-newsletter to which you can subscribe.