Cook County officials were joined May 23 by with federal, state and other local officials in marking the end of the Lake Cook Road Reconstruction Project. The project took more than two years to complete. (cookcounty.gov)

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) and Cook County Commissioners were joined by federal, state and local officials to celebrate the completion of the Lake Cook Road Reconstruction Project on May 23.

Official hailed the project as one that reduces traffic congestion and improves safety for pedestrians, vehicles and bicyclists on Lake Cook Road between Hastings Lane in Wheeling and Raupp Boulevard in Buffalo Grove.

“Improving the county’s infrastructure supports economic opportunities and safety — it’s a win-win,” said Preckwinkle. “Making these necessary improvements to ensure drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists can commute efficiently through the County is a top priority of mine. I am grateful to all of our partners who have worked with us to complete this project on time and under budget.”

Construction began in January 2020, after more than eight years of public engagement and design engineering. This $58.5 million dollar expansion project adds one lane in each direction and increases the number of lanes from four to six. Dedicated turn lanes were installed at intersections along Lake Cook Road at Buffalo Grove Road, McHenry Road (IL-83) and Weiland Road.

This project also improves accessibility and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists through the construction of new sidewalks and ADA compliant crosswalks throughout the 1.5-mile corridor, according to the county.

Newly installed LED streetlights also benefit all users by enhancing nighttime visibility.

“This is our most heavily travelled route with over 40,000 vehicles travelling on this road every day,” said DoTH Superintendent Jennifer “Sis” Killen. “By increasing capacity and adding pedestrian and bike infrastructure, we’re ensuring that residents traveling by car, bike or foot can take advantage of the upgrades along this route. “

Nearly 44 percent of the project was funded by federal grants and local participation from Lake County Division of Transportation, the Village of Buffalo Grove and the Village of Wheeling. With the help of these partners, the county was able to add aesthetic elements and reduce congestion in the corridor.

The completion of this project reduces congestion and idling vehicles, creating environmental benefits such as improved air quality, according to the county. Additionally, upgraded LED street lighting decreases the corridor’s carbon footprint and the newly installed storm water system is intended to address potential flooding impacts from water runoff.

The Lake Cook Road Reconstruction Project follows the objectives laid out in Connecting Cook County, the county’s Long Range Transportation Plan, which was developed to guide where and how the county invests in transportation-related projects that support the growth and economic vitality of communities in Cook County.

For more information about the Lake Cook Road Reconstruction Project, visit www.cookcountylcr.org.

“I’m excited to see a project become a reality,” said State Rep. Jonathan Carroll. “This was needed for a time, and we’ve made it happen.”

“The Lake Cook Road reconstruction is more than a road widening, it is a connection to opportunities,” added Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton, who represents the 14^th District. “While we invest in jobs and education to help residents thrive, the County must also build infrastructure for residents to access them. I thank President Preckwinkle, Department of Transportation Superintendent Killen, and leaders in Wheeling and Buffalo Grove for ensuring that people and businesses in the 14th District and beyond will be able to get to point A to point B faster, safer, and more predictably.”

Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sim, who represents the 5^th District, said, “The nearly $60 million project provides a multimodal connection for all transportation users and leverages state and federal resources to deliver a product that will serve the generations to come.”

For more information about the Lake Cook Road Reconstruction Project, visit www.cookcountylcr.org.