Multiple projects scheduled in East Lake County area

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that multiple improvement projects in the East Lake County area are scheduled to get underway beginning this spring. The six projects represent a total investment of $43 million for the region, made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic and bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.

"With the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, we are restoring and transforming Illinois's aging infrastructure," said Gov. Pritzker. "Rebuild Illinois is not only about investing in infrastructure but about investing in people and communities as well. In the coming months, IDOT will undertake projects that will ultimately create safer roads and bridges and provide jobs in the East Lake County area and across the entire state."

Projects include:

• U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) at Deerpath Road
Ongoing project to replace the existing pump station. Deerpath Road from Skokie Highway to Golf Lane will be resurfaced, new sidewalks and ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, along with new dedicated turn lanes at Skokie Highway. Later this year, Deerpath Road will be reduced to single lane traffic, with bridge signal assistance, for approximately one month and exit ramps to Deerpath Road will be closed for several weeks. The project started last fall and is anticipated to be completed in fall 2022.

• U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) from Illinois 21 to Dorchester Avenue
Resurfacing project with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Daily lane closures will be necessary to complete the project, which is scheduled to begin this summer and completed this fall.

• U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) at Illinois 132 (Grand Avenue)
Ongoing project to remove and replace the Union Pacific Railroad bridge, over Illinois 132, reconstruction and widening on Grand Avenue, as well as widening of the southbound U.S. 41 ramp. Grand Avenue is reduced to one lane in each direction. The project started in 2017 and is anticipated to be completed this summer.

• Illinois 60 from Des Plaines River to Riverwoods Road
Resurfacing project with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Daily lane closures will be necessary to complete the project, which is scheduled to begin this summer and completed this fall.

• Illinois 131 from Illinois 120 to Canadian National Railway
Resurfacing project with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Daily lane closures will be necessary to complete the project, which is scheduled to begin this summer and completed this fall.

• Illinois 137 from Russell Road to Greenwood Road
Resurfacing project with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Daily lane closures will be necessary to complete the project, which is scheduled to begin this summer and completed this fall.

"These projects represent a significant investment in the East Lake County area and are a big step forward in our work to improve safety, mobility and create economic opportunity for years to come," said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "We're asking drivers to be patient, slow down and pay extra attention driving in and around any work zone." 

In addition to improving roads and bridges, Rebuild Illinois identifies in the Chicago area $400 million for the CREATE program, $500 million to establish passenger rail to the Quad Cities and Rockford, and $4 billion for the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace.

Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is investing $33.2 billion into the state's aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history but also the first one that touches all modes of Illinois transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

For more information on IDOT projects, click here. Find traffic and road conditions at http://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and Twitter.