The “Millburn Strangler” along Route 45, spanning the 87-foot separation between Grass Lake and Millburn roads, is on track for the bid-letting process this spring. (Photo by Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media)

The Illinois Department of Transportation has entered the Phase II engineering portion of correcting the “Millburn Strangler,” a notorious stretch of Route 45 encompassing two stoplights within an 87-foot distance between dead-ends of Millburn and Grass Lake roads, and has also slated bid-letting on the job orders for construction for later this spring.

Vehicle traffic congestion caused by the configuration, during peak travel times, is well-known to county drivers.

“We’re looking to begin the bid-letting process for the construction phase, at some point later this spring,” said Gianna Urgo, IDOT’s spokesperson. “Of course, it’s all contingent on right-of-way land acquisitions, along with pending agreements between, and with, local agencies. The engineering is being done by our road construction design division, and it’s all progressing.”

Located in the Millburn historical district, of Old Mill Creek, U.S. Route 45 traverses a staggered set of intersections with Millburn Road, and Grass Lake Road, approximately one block to the north. Traffic signals with protected turns, combined with vehicle congestion during peak morning and afternoon travel times in all directions, and a lack of signal synchronization, conspire to create mile-long backups in some instances.

“This project entails the Phase I study of improvements on U.S. Route 45 between Route 132 and Route 173, with special focus on the Grass Lake Road and Millburn Road intersections in the vicinity of the Millburn Historic District,” according to the IDOT website. “Based on the results of this Phase I Study, likely ultimate improvements … have been identified, and a west bypass of the Millburn Historic District has been chosen for the Grass Lake Road/Millburn Road intersection area for subsequent plan development and construction.”

A plat map showing the proposed western bypass to alleviate congestion on Route 45 in Millburn. (Photo courtesy of Illinois Department of Transportation)

The effort to correct the problem gained traction in 2009, when a panel of county, state, and federal highway officials met to discuss 18 proposed roadways with Alternative 4 emerging as the preferred selection. It consists of a four-lane western bypass in Lindenhurst, from Country Place to Independence Boulevard, a 7,200-foot pathway. Lake County’s financial investment was made in 2011, which entailed a $34 million allotment obtained through its portion of the retailer’s occupation tax (sales tax).

Nearly 13 acres from the proximal county-owned McDonald Woods were made available, although the Lake County Forest Preserve District decided to sell the acreage, as opposed to permitting an easement. The parcel will help facilitate potential link-ups with bike paths. A section of the project, from McDonald Woods to Independence Boulevard, is planned to become part of the Millennium Trail, the 42-mile bike trail connecting most of Lake County.

The village of Lindenhurst completed a bike underpass on Grass Lake Road that was opened in 2016, east of the project siting. IDOT has indicated that of the 31 parcels deemed as right-of-way access for the western bypass, two parcels are still actively in discussions. The acquisition of the parcels is tantamount to the project moving forward.

“We do not have a total cost estimate for the project,” said Urgo. “There are variables such as the bid-letting process and construction expenses.”

Actual construction of the bypass project is tentatively set to begin in mid-September.

—‘Millburn Strangler’ bypass project on track–