A new intersection will be created on Route 59 near Grant Community High School in Fox Lake as part of an improvement project to the Route 59 and Grand Avenue intersection that begins construction next week. | Provided Photo

County officials say a “big project” will soon begin with the year-long closure of Washington Street in Fox Lake as crews begin construction on a busy Route 59 intersection.

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) said Tuesday they will be closing Washington Street in Fox Lake to through traffic starting at 7 a.m. Monday.

The closure is for the Route 59 and Grand Avenue Intersection Improvement Project.

The road will remain closed to through traffic for the duration of the project. The anticipated reopening is in the spring of 2025.

A detour route will be Route 59 to Devlin Road to Rollins Road.

Local traffic will be allowed on Washington Street from the north and south ends. The work zone will be closed to all traffic.

A new intersection will be created on Route 59 near Grant Community High School in Fox Lake as part of an improvement project to the Route 59 and Grand Avenue intersection that begins construction next week. | Provided Photo

The Route 59 and Grand Avenue Intersection Improvement Project, which LCDOT called a “big project,” involves the reconstruction of the intersection to realign Washington Street to meet Route 59 south of Grand Avenue.

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A new signalized intersection will be added on Route 59 at the realigned Washington Street connecting to Grant Community High School.

The Route 59 and Grand Avenue intersection will have left-turn lanes on three legs and a southbound right-turn lane.

The Route 59 and Washington Street intersection will have left-turn lanes on all legs and a southbound right-turn lane into the high school. The project also includes sidewalks and multi-use paths.

LCDOT said the current intersection has several existing deficiencies which include traffic congestion and a lack of left-turn lanes on Route 59, which lead to difficulty maneuvering the intersection.

Traffic at the intersection is a combination of local, regional and recreational traffic.

LCDOT also said the roads are on a skew, which makes it difficult to manage the intersection.

Adjacent businesses, schools and public facilities, such as the police, fire and public works departments, utilize the intersection on a daily basis.

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