The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) announced a $127 million construction program for the 2024 season, one of the larger programs of recent years, according to Director of Transportation Shane Schneider.
More than 20 transportation projects will be under construction in 2024, featuring intersection improvements, non-motorized paths, resurfacings and bridge maintenance.
The size of the program is mainly due to three large projects the department is tackling this year, Schneider said, including the Arlington Heights reconstruction project, the Illinois Route 59 and Grand Avenue project in Fox Lake and the Hunt Club and Washington Street project in Gurnee.
Comparatively, last year the construction initiatives cost about $88 million, and in 2022 the were $90 million in projects, according to the director.
The 2024 projects are scheduled based on the department’s five-year plan from 2023 to 2028, which totals to about $809 million in infrastructure investments. The county manages roughly 300 miles of highway.
“Through this commitment, we are able to address critical transportation needs for everyone who travels through Lake County,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, D-Lake Bluff, said in a statement.
Highlights of the 2024 program include 58 miles of lane resurfacing, and culvert and bridge improvements, to make sure the infrastructure is suitable for increased rainfall.
Several non-motorized transportation (NMT) improvements are also scheduled in this year’s construction program, with many a part of larger projects. The county maintains about 65 miles of bike paths and lanes, with about 42 miles of new paths anticipated as part of the five-year plan.
A new bike path will be developed from the Metra railroad tracks to East County Farm Road as part of the Winchester Road project, and a multi-use path and sidewalk are being constructed along Aptakisic Road.
“We prioritize those key destinations like transit, or major shopping areas like Gurnee Mills, Hawthorne Mall, where we know a lot of people want to get to and maybe there’s just a barrier to that last mile gap,” Schneider said. “So if we can do simple things like that to encourage people to think about another mode, that’s what we are trying to do.”
Expanding non-motorized paths fits with the transportation division’s recent study to reduce single-occupancy vehicle usage. Nearly 80% of Lake County commuters are the only person in their car, according to a report from LCDOT.
County Board member Jennifer Clark, D-Libertyville, who serves as chair for the Public Works and Transportation Committee, said it’s “exciting” to see the non-motorized path network expand.
“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,” she said in a statement.
Due to the mild weather, the department already has a few projects underway, which Schneider said is, “great news.” If favorable weather continues, construction can continue up until Thanksgiving.
While construction is occurring around the county, he advises the public to be mindful and aware of changes in speed limits and lane shifts.
“Try to slow down, and make sure you’re staying alert in the work zone so we can protect the workers that are doing their job and trying to get home to their family safely every night,” Schneider said.
chilles@chicagotribune.com
