Traffic congestion on Old McHenry Road in Hawthorn Woods is expected to improve in the future as the Lake County Board approved 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.
“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 Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “Old McHenry Crossings is one of the largest projects that the Lake County Division of Transportation has ever undertaken.”
The engineering design contract for a new grade separation and several other related improvements were approved as part of the Lake County Division of Transportation‘s Old McHenry Crossings Project on Sept. 10.
With Phase II approved, the project can move into the third and final phase of planning and design, officials said.
Construction plans are prepared during Phase II, permits and other regulatory approvals are obtained and the property and easements necessary to build the improvements.
The Old McHenry Crossing Project is expected 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. That timeline depends 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 with four highly traveled regional highways converging on one area.
In addition, 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, officials said.
For these reasons, necessary improvements were identified for the corridor in Lake County’s 2040 Transportation Plan.