Route 21 Daytime Closures Begin After Labor Day

Tree removal and temporary pavement contract work will begin Sept. 6 on Route 21 north of Route 137, as part of a larger project to widen the highly used roadway and alleviate traffic. While no permanent lane closures are expected, construction officials say there will be temporary daytime closures.

“They’re going to start with tree removal, and some of the trees are going to have to be felled toward the roadway, so there will be daytime lane closures with a flagger,” Illinois Department of Transportation construction supervisor Ann Berube said.

The completion date for this phase of construction is Oct.31, but Berube said utility work should quickly follow.

Second Phase Starts Spring, 2011

The second phase of the project is expected to begin in the spring with the construction of the new traffic lanes. Other project features include new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, retaining walls, retention ponds, and storm water improvement systems, according to a press release.

The project involves reconstructing the roadway, building a second lane in both directions and adding an 18-foot landscaped median along 2.2 miles. New traffic signals will be installed at Route 21 and Casey Road. Dual left turn lanes and right turn lanes in each direction will be added at Route 21 and Route 137, according to a press release.

Project Set for Completion in Fall 2013

Lake County Grading Co., of Libertyville, is the prime contractor for the $2.3 million initial phase of work. The entire $25 million project is scheduled to be complete and the four lanes open to traffic in fall 2013. Funding for the project is being provided by Lake County, according to a press release.

Traffic Updates

Find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1 at: www.DOT.State.IL.US.

Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at: www.TravelMidwest.com.