Construction Causes Frustration over Freeman/Dahmer Signal Delays

Mike McCoy is the construction manager for the Route 47 interchange project and he knows the frustration drivers face when waiting for the traffic light at Freeman Road and Dahmer Drive.

Unfortunately, it’s not something he has much control over it.

What has happened is one lane across the Route 47 bridge has been eliminated causing backups during rush hour, 3 to 6 p.m., said McCoy, a manager with Omega Constructions Engineers.

Construction crews found the backup were extending from Route 47 onto the Jane Adams Memorial Tollway (I-90).

One day, traffic in the westbound lanes on I-90 were backed up all the way to the Elgin exits, McCoy said.

“We had to change the signal times because it was a very dangerous situation,” he said.

The result is the timing at the Freeman and Dahmer intersection is delayed and gives motorists about 15 seconds to turn onto Route 47, he said. 

Residents estimate only about 1.5 cars can make it through the intersection when the lights change. McCoy said it’s even less if there’s a truck turning in front of a motorist.

“There’s not much we can do because we eliminated a lane,” he said.

McCoy added changing the timing on at the Freeman and Dahmer intersection would cause backups on the tollway.

At an open house this week, Rocco Zucchero, Deputy Chief of Engineering and Planning for the Illinois Tollway said Route 47 at I-90 will be reduced to one lane for the remainder of the year.

This week, crews will be putting in the beams for the western portion of the Route 47 bridge over I-90. That portion should be done by Thanksgiving, McCoy said.

Demolition on the eastern portion of the bridge will be done throughout the winter, McCoy said. Next year, work will start on the eastern portion of the bridge.

The entire project will be done in a year.