State To Correct Darien Curve Seen As Dangerous

DARIEN, IL – The state is set to close North Frontage Road west of Cass Avenue from May 15 to Aug. 30, the city of Darien said in a statement Thursday.

The closure is for the state Department of Transportation to correct what is considered a dangerous curve. Three years ago, two people died in a motorcycle crash there.

The department recently contracted with Elgin-based Martam Construction to do the work, according to the city.

The closure will be between Bailey Road and the entrance to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, the city said.

The city said that access to the Shell gas station, Alpine Banquets and the church will be unaffected, with drivers able to enter and exit onto Frontage Road during construction.

Meanwhile, those driving to Carriage Greens Country Club and Cass Junior High will need to detour via Plainfield and Bailey roads, the city said.

"While the City of Darien looks forward to the safety improvements, we request of all to be mindful and patient of the speed limits within the detour area of the neighborhood roadways," the city said in its statement.

The state plans to ease North Frontage Road's curve, which may have been a factor in a fatal crash.

Early the morning of Sept. 27, 2021, a passerby saw a motorcycle in a ditch between North Frontage Road and the Cass Avenue ramp to southbound Interstate 55. As it turned out, a man and a woman died in a crash.

They were believed to have been heading east on North Frontage Road about 14 hours earlier.