Program for New Sidewalks

From 2018 to 2020, the City of Wheaton worked on a 3-year program to add sidewalks in areas that did not have them, focusing on the criteria below to assist in making Wheaton a more pedestrian friendly community, especially focusing around school walking routes. 

The City is working to develop a new program to further the goal of creating sidewalks on at least one side of the street throughout the community. More information will be posted here once the next program is developed. 

Missing Sidewalks in City Right-of-Way (MAP)

Criteria for 2018-2020 Program

New sidewalks were recommended based on the following criteria and as the budget allowed: 

  1. Distance to the School - This was the top priority. The closer to the school, the greater number of points provided. With nearly $1MM worth of sidewalks within the 1,500 radii, requests outside of the 1,500 radius were not considered.
  2. Street Category - Collector streets received more points than local streets. Local streets received more points than cul-de-sacs.
  3. Partially Constructed Sidewalks - Leverage these areas where some new slabs could possibly connect existing sidewalks. More points for small gaps based on linear feet.
  4. Street Layout (Geometry) - With safety in mind, streets with extreme vertical or horizontal curves and/or without curbs received maximum points, while streets that appear open and straight or flat received minimum points.

New Sidewalks for 2020

  • Liberty Street between Fisher Street and President Street
  • Williston Street between Illinois Street and Willow Avenue
  • James Court from Elm Street to just north of Arbor Avenue
  • Irving Avenue between Prairie Avenue and Wakeman Avenue
  • Center Avenue between Marcey Avenue and Westhaven Drive
  • Paula Avenue between Westhaven Drive and Marcey Avenue
  • Marcey Avenue between Mayo Avenue and Paula Avenue
  • Prairie Avenue from Irving Avenue connecting to existing sidewalk

2020 Sidewalk Plan Set

New Sidewalks for 2019

  • Wakeman Avenue between President Street and Santa Rosa Avenue
  • Prairie Avenue between Irving Avenue and Main Street
  • Jefferson Avenue between Ellis Avenue and Gary Avenue
  • Campbell Avenue between Dawes Avenue and Elm Street
  • Fischer Street between Dawes Avenue and Elm Street

New Sidewalks created in 2018

  • Thomas
  • Park
  • Howard

2018 School Sidewalk Analysis

*While Foothill/Aurora Way ranked high in the needs analysis, the area contains a floodway which would require a bridge structure, extensive permitting from multiple regulatory agencies, and pre and post-construction modeling of the channel.


Additional Information

To learn more about the City of Wheaton's sidewalk program, please view the video and information below or contact City Engineer Sarang Lagvankar: 630-260.2067 / slagvankar@wheaton.il.us