Old McHenry Road Improvement Plan Continues To Draw Public Feedback

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — As Lake County transportation officials continue to eye a major project that would improve the traffic flow at Old McHenry Crossings, public input continues to be a pivotal part of the formula.

Lake County officials recently held their second public information meeting about the project, which is slated to begin in 2025. County transportation officials currently studying how making potential improvements in the areas around Old McHenry Road would improve traffic flow and make the area safer for both motorists and pedestrians alike.

Studies have found that about 25,000 vehicles pass through a corridor where 370 motor vehicle accidents have taken place over the past five years. Because of these numbers, the corridor has been deemed a priority by Lake County’s transportation department, which is working with local residents on developing designs for how the corridor could look once the work is complete.

As part of the project, the county’s Department of Transportation is looking to improve safety, traffic operations, and connectivity for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians within the area around Old McHenry Road and the Canadian National Railroad along Quentin Road.

The project will evaluate the feasibility of constructing a new grade separation at the CN Railroad tracks, meaning motorists will not have to sit and wait for the nearly 20 trains that pass through each day, officials said.

Officials said that improvements could include grade separations along Old McHenry Road, intersection improvements, the potential to add lanes of traffic, and the addition of bike paths and sidewalks to help connect the corridor for pedestrians and bikers.

The project study area generally includes:

• Old McHenry Road, Abbey Glenn Drive to Bonnie Lane
• Quentin Road, IL Route 22 to Old McHenry Road
• Midlothian Road, north and south of the Old McHenry Road intersection
• Fairfield Road, north of the Old McHenry Road intersection
• Echo Lake Road, south of the Old McHenry Road intersection

More information about the potential improvements and access to forms to provide feedback about the plan can be found on the project's website.