Trees have been cut down and homes demolished around Rout 14 in Barrington to clear the way for the construction of an underpass beneath the Canadian National railroad tracks nearby. | Paul Valade/Daily Herald
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
More than 1,200 trees stretching across six acres along Route 14 in Barrington have been taken down in recent weeks, clearing the way for a long-sought underpass beneath the Canadian National railroad tracks.
A priority for more than a decade, village leaders say the $94.1 million project will provide a faster and safer trip for drivers who often find themselves backed up in long delays at the tracks. It’ll also ease concerns about emergency vehicles getting stuck waiting for slow-moving freight trains to clear, officials say.
But while drivers may be eagerly awaiting the work’s completion in about two years, not everyone is embracing the project.
Homeowners in the historic Jewel Park subdivision north of Route 14 have seen dozens of their neighborhood trees removed and six homes razed — with two more set to face demolition — significantly altering the appearance of their community.
Crews later this year will replace the leveled homes and trees with a temporary 4-lane roadway that will carry Route 14 traffic through the area during construction of the underpass.
“They have got to basically move Route 14 on a temporary basis,” said Terry Riordan, a member of the Jewel Park Homeowners Association. “And they have chosen to go into our neighborhood.”
Established in 1925 by the Jewel Tea Co., the subdivision consists of more than 80 homes north the underpass site. Concerned about the project’s impact on their neighborhood, members of the homeowners association have met with Barrington officials several times and even walked through the project area with village representatives.
Read more here.
Related: “Jewel Park residents share their concerns regarding the U.S. Route 14/CN Underpass project”
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