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September 11, 2024
Old McHenry Crossings Project Moves Towards Design Phase
The engineering design contract for a new grade separation and several other related improvements as part of the Lake County Division of Transportation‘s (LCDOT) Old McHenry Crossings Project, brings it one step closer to reality. On September 10, the Lake County Board approved a joint resolution to enter into an agreement for Phase II engineering design services for the project.
The Old McHenry Crossings Project proposes to construct a grade separation of Old McHenry Road at the Canadian National railroad tracks, improve the Fairfield Road and Midlothian Road intersections, upgrade Quentin Road by adding travel lanes and a new traffic signal at Highland Drive and implement non-motorized improvements throughout the entire project limits. Watch this video to see what the area would look like after construction.
"Our continued investments in transportation allow us to make impactful improvements for our residents and visitors, providing safe walking and biking paths while decreasing congestion,” said Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chair. “Old McHenry Crossings is one of the largest projects that the Lake County Division of Transportation has ever undertaken.”
Now that the project is in Phase II, it’s considered to be in the middle of three engineering phases that start with Planning (Phase I) and end with Construction (Phase III). During phase II, construction plans are prepared, permits and other regulatory approvals are obtained and the property and easements necessary to build the improvement is purchased. The Old McHenry Crossing Project is projected to cost about $150 million, including all engineering phases and construction. Due to the size and complexity of the project, construction is planned to take place in three stages, with the first stage starting as soon as 2027, depending on project readiness, land acquisition and funding availability.
“The focus will now be on lining up critical funding for the project,” said Jennifer Clark, Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee Chair and District 15 Board Member. “Lake County is applying for federal funds that will assist with the project being ready to begin construction as soon as the Phase II design in completed.”
Nearly 30,000 vehicles pass through the Old McHenry Crossings corridor each day. Four highly traveled regional highways converging to this area, frequent freight trains and three closely spaced intersections along Old McHenry Road have resulted in high traffic volumes and delays. Nearly 370 crashes have occurred in this area over the last five years. For these reasons, the corridor has been identified in Lake County’s 2040 Transportation Plan, which recommends improvements necessary to address the future transportation needs of Lake County.
“This proposed project will be crucial to improve safety, increase connectivity and reduce traffic delays for many motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists who use Old McHenry Road and the surrounding roads each day,” said Jessica Vealitzek, Lake County Board Member District 10. “Particularly exciting will be the new grade separation at the railroad tracks, which will mean that motorists will no longer have to sit and wait for the nearly 20 trains that pass through the area each day.”
LCDOT held a number of public meetings to introduce the Old McHenry Crossings Project, collect input from residents and explain the preferred alternative. More than 200 residents attended the last public meeting and dozens have provided feedback in-person and online at omxproject.com
“Thank you to all the residents who took the time to provide their input regarding this project whether it was by attending one of the public information meetings or accessing and completing the online form. Your thoughtful feedback is incredibly necessary in this process so we can make improvements that will positively impact communities within Lake County,” said Adam Schlick, Lake County Board Member District 2. “Eliminating the existing at-grade crossing, which has served as a barrier for first responders when long trains pass through, will improve response times for public safety professionals.”
“In addition to reduced travel times for residents and commuters, the proposed infrastructure improvements include enhanced stormwater management facilities that control flooding and improve water quality of runoff that enters our lakes and streams,” said Sara Knizhnik, Lake County Board Member District 18.
Contact
Alex Carr
Deputy Communications Officer
acarr@lakecountyil.gov
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