$127 Million In Construction Projects Planned For Lake County In 2024

WAUKEGAN, IL — Lake County officials plan more than 20 transportation construction projects for construction this year, including road reconstruction, intersection improvements and more multi-use paths.

The $127 million construction program announced last week by the Lake County Division of Transportation focuses modernizing and expanding the county’s transportation facilities with an eye on safety and sustainability.

"Maintaining and preserving our transportation system is always a top priority as it ensures that Lake County highways are safe to drive on," LCDOT Director Transportation Shane Schneider said in a statement announcing the upcoming projects.

The 2024 program features extensive road resurfacing efforts, which may lead to temporary lane closures and the presence of flaggers to manage traffic. Roads slated for resurfacing include portions of Butterfield Road, Deep Lake Road, Fairfield Road, Gilmer Road, and Grass Lake Road.

"We ask everyone to take it slow and be mindful of crews working in construction zones so we can all make it home safely at the end of the day," Schneider said.

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Major road projects include: the reconstruction of Arlington Heights Road from Illinois 83 to Lake County Road, which will also include storm sewer enhancement and filling in gaps in connections for pedestrians.

The reconstruction of Aptakisic Road will turn it into a five-lane artery, complete with dual travel lanes in each direction and a central median with turn lanes. The project also includes enhancements to non-motorized travel routes along the corridor between Illinois 83 and Buffalo Grove Road.

Intersection improvements are planned at Lewis Avenue and Wadsworth Road in Beach Park and Waukegan. Enhancements include the addition of turn lanes and pedestrian signals, along with a new shared use path connecting to the regional Robert McClory Path.

At Illinois Route 59 and Grand Avenue in Fox Lake, the plan is to realign Washington Street to intersect with IL 59 south of Grand Avenue and add new turn lanes and pedestrian pathways leading to Grant Community High School.

Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart (D-Lake Bluff) said the board plans to spend more than $800 million over the next six years on maintaining and modernizing roads, bridges and paths around the county.

"Through this commitment, we are able to address critical transportation needs for everyone who travels through Lake County," Hart said.

Motorists should watch out for pavement resurfacing with temporary lane closures coming up in the following locations:

• Butterfield Road from Illinois 137 to Illinois 176
• Deep Lake Road from Illinois 132 to Illinois 173
• Fairfield Road from Nippersink Road to Illinois 60
• Fairfield Road from Old McHenry Road to Ivanhoe Road
• Gilmer Road from Illinois 120 to Illinois 176
• Grass Lake Road from Illinois 59 to State Park Road

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County officials said several improvements for pedestrians and cyclists are also included in the construction budget, with many incorporated into other projects.

Notable undertakings include a new bike path from the Metra railroad tracks to East County Farm Road as part of the Winchester Road at Illinois 83 project and a multi-use path along Aptakisic Road in Long Grove and Buffalo Grove.

"It is exciting to see our non-motorized path network expand as part of several projects this year," said Lake County Board Member Jennifer Clark (D-Libertyville), the chair of the public works and transportation committee.

"Our goal is to expand options for residents traveling to work, local businesses, forest preserves, Metra and Pace stations, and other destinations without the need for their motor vehicles."