Independence Grove Improvements Tied to Route 21 Project

As part of the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) efforts to improve Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue), the following projects will be completed:

•  A trail underpass at Route 21 near Casey Road to provide a link to the Des Plaines River Trail and to Independence Grove Forest Preserve.
• Sidewalks installed along Route 21 and Route 137 to Independence Grove.
• A dedicated left turn lane into the Independence Grove Dog Exercise Area.
•  Approximately 1,800 new trees planted in forest preserves throughout Lake County to replace the trees removed by IDOT to widen the road.

Preliminary work is underway and includes tree removals and construction of temporary pavement on the east side of Milwaukee Avenue. At various times during the preliminary work phase access to the Lake County Forest Preserves General Offices and to the Independence Grove Dog Exercise Area, both located on Route 21 north of Route 137, may be restricted. Preliminary work is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2011.

Major road construction work to widen and reconstruct the road is scheduled to begin in 2012. At various times during the road construction phase, access to the Dog Exercise Area will be limited, and for a portion of the year, the Dog Area will be closed completely. During these times, the forest preserve encourages regular visitors to explore the three other Dog Exercise Areas that are available to all permit holders. The new four-lane road is expected to be open in late 2012.

For project updates, check IDOT's construction status page.

This information is from the Lake County Forest Preserve website.