Forest Preserve & Lake County News September 2010

Metra is working on the UP North line, which has disrupted the train schedule. Responding to complaints, they planned to start a new schedule on September 26. However, this has now been delayed until October. Passengers who would like to be notified when there are updates, can also log on to MyMetra and sign up by selecting the UP North line and checking the box that says "e-mail notifications of service alerts on my train routes." Passengers can also receive updates following on Twitter @MetraUPN. You can also buy tickets on line from My Metra.

Here in Lake County we are continuing to approve construction improvements. Here are some that impact District 21.

Milwaukee Avenue from Route 137 to Route 120
At Tuesday's meeting we approved the sale of up to $32 million of Recovery Zone and Build America bonds for the purpose of road improvements including the widening and reconstruction of Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) from Route 137 to Route 120. The Forest Preserve has been part of this planning as we work to connect the Des Plaines River Trail to trails west of Milwaukee Ave.

There will be a public meeting on September 28th at 6:30pm at the Libertyville Streets Committee meeting for Libertyville residents and business to see the plans. IDOT is working on ROW acquisition and the letting is currently scheduled for June 2011. The project will likely take two years to construct.

Intersection of Route 22 and Milwaukee Avenue
Many of you contacted me asking when the Route 22 and Milwaukee Avenue intersection construction will be finished. This is a State of Illinois project.

I have spoken with the Resident Engineer for the project. He said the major road work should be done by the end of October. Hopefully the weather will remain good for construction.

The bike path across the river on Deerfield Rd. is moving along. Placement of the bridge will require closing the road for a few days in the fall. I will let you know when that will happen.

Roundabout at Riverwoods and Everett Roads
The work on the roundabout is moving along quickly. I have heard from many of you about how exciting it is to see a project move along. With weather permitting, the roundabout will be open for traffic this construction season. There may be additional work next spring such as landscaping, and punch list items.Because of the placement of the roundabout, traffic will be able to move through the intersection during the construction. You can learn more about roundabouts and how pedestrians and cyclists will use them too.

Winchester Road from Route 45 to Butterfield Road
On Tuesday we approved funding for the resurfacing of Winchester Road from Route 45 to Butterfield Road. We will let the contract in October, with work scheduled to begin in the spring.

Over the past few months the Public Works and Transportation Committee has been reviewing the annual update for our proposed Highway Plan. Despite the name, this does include expanding our bike path system. Our "Complete Streets" program means that anytime we will be repaving or rebuilding a road, we look to see how we can fit bike traffic in--whether it be adding an off road bike path, a bike lane or widening the shoulder. You can read the executive summary of the 2010-2015 plan.If you haven't used the Lake County Division of Transportation's PASSAGE program before. This summer is the time to start. Drivers can find real-time information, online or on the radio (1620 AM), about congestion, construction, accidents and detours on local roadways. You can also get traffic updates on your PDA.