Input from the public, stakeholders, and local agencies has been considered and incorporated over the course of the study. To date, there have been two (2) public meetings and five (5) Community Advisory Group Meetings. IDOT has also met with representatives from the Village of Barrington Hills, Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) multiple times at key project milestones. Input from these meetings has helped IDOT establish the Purpose and Need, develop the Reasonable Range of Alternatives, identify the Alternatives to be Carried Forward, and select a Preferred Alternative.
The two typical sections included in the Alternatives to be Carried Forward (see September 2023 update) were further refined based on the following design goals and coordination with FPCC, ISGS, USFWS:
- Minimize land acquisition from FPCC
- Minimize impacts to threatened and endangered species habitat
- Improve flood protection of IL 62
- Maintain existing surface and groundwater conditions that support endangered species habitat
- Reduce pollutants from stormwater runoff
These refinements have led to a Preferred Alternative that satisfies the Purpose and Need while minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment by incorporating a combination of three typical sections. All three typical sections include four (4) travel lanes, paved shoulders, mountable curbs, closed drainage, and a shared-use path. The Preferred Alternative is divided into two segments due to the differences in land use and the environmental resources as shown in the following figures.
- Segment 1 – West of Bateman Road and east of Old Sutton Road:
- This segment (shown in purple in Figure 1) has one typical section as shown in Figure 2.
- Segment 2 – Between Bateman Road and Old Sutton Road:
- This segment (shown in orange/yellow in Figure 1) is restricted by the surrounding FPCC property and environmental resources. This segment utilizes two typical sections as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
IDOT is currently developing the preliminary right-of-way needs of the Preferred Alternative and potential impacts to various environmental, community, agricultural, and cultural resources within the study area. IDOT plans to present the Preferred Alternative and summary of impacts to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and resource agencies for concurrence in February 2026. Once concurrence on the Preferred Alternative has been received, a draft of the Environmental Assessment document will be prepared and made available for public review and input.
Figure 1: Preferred Alternative Segments
(Click on images to enlarge)
Figure 2: 10-ft Outside Shoulders with 4:1 Fore Slopes (Segment 1-Purple)
Figure 3: 2-ft Outside Shoulders with Retaining Walls (Segment 2-Orange)
Figure 4: Continuous Bridge over Shallow Groundwater (Segment 2-Yellow)
Read more and comment here.
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CONSTRUCTION ALERT: “The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) resumed work on the Illinois Route 53 improvements from Interstate 90 to Lake Cook Road this week. Starting this Friday, March 6, four of the ramps at Palatine Road will be closed until approximately August 1. The ramps to be closed are:
