Posted in Barrington Area Library, Community Alerts, EJ&E/Canadian National, Goat Rodeo, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on September 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Latest from the Barrington Area Library:
“In our previous e-mail newsletter, we told you about a proposed closure of the CN railroad crossings at Route 14 and Lake Zurich Road,
scheduled for the coming weekend.
We have received word from the Village of Barrington that those closures have been postponed. We apologize for any confusion. Watch for updates from the Village with the new dates for the work on the crossings.”
Related: “Weekend CN Railroad Crossing Closure Alert in Barrington”
Posted in Road construction, School Districts, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on September 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Over the past two months, crews have coordinated the following work:
As the contractor continues the Route 59 culvert work as shared above, the current traffic pattern outlined below will remain in place to facilitate this work.
The contractor is working to consolidate construction stages and complete the west half of the Route 59 culvert as part of ongoing work in this area. They are targeting completion of the west half of the culvert near the end of October, followed by roadway restoration work. Currently, we anticipate shifting traffic onto the restored western half of Hough Street and reopening access to Lions Drive ahead of Thanksgiving.
To stay informed and receive project updates, please visit the dedicated project website us14underpass.com or watch for email notifications.
Posted in BACOG, Chicago Tribune, EJ&E/Canadian National, Politics, Road construction, TRAC, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on September 8, 2026| Leave a Comment »
A Canadian National freight train stops traffic along U.S. Route 14 on Aug. 6, 2026, in Barrington. An underpass is being constructed at this location to allow traffic to flow better. The underpass is expected to be completed in late 2027. | Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
By John Lippert | For the Chicago Tribune
When Karen Darch started agitating in 2007 for an underpass so U.S. Route 14 can pass beneath the Canadian National railroad tracks in Barrington, she had six children and no grandkids.
Nineteen years later, as workers are shattering the affluent quiet of her suburban street by pounding retaining walls for the underpass into place, she has seven grandchildren.
Darch says she can’t say how many grandchildren she’ll have when the half-mile, $94 million underpass is finally complete, hopefully by the end of next year.
But now, Darch is confronting a problem that could aggravate her grandchildren for decades to come.
That problem is a new round of mergers that’s putting the ownership structure of North American railroads through a blender and triggering a prolonged period of tension and uncertainty.
Union Pacific, in tandem with its $85 billion takeover bid for Norfolk Southern, has agreed to start running more trains over Canadian National’s suburban Chicago network. At the outset, this will include rerouting some trains now running through inner-city Chicago.
Former Barrington Village President Karen Darch stands near construction for the new U.S. Route 14 underpass on Aug. 6, 2026, in Barrington. Darch spent years seeking solutions like this underpass to rail-induced traffic problems. The underpass will be routed under freight train rails where currently traffic gets blocked several times a day. | Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Darch, an attorney who served as Barrington’s village president for 20 years until last year, says she believes that sooner or later, the railroads will build a second freight track through Barrington, a suburb 35 miles northwest of Chicago. That’s because Canadian National has already spent years double-tracking the line to within 10 miles south of Barrington, she said.
In theory, rail experts say, this second track could mean dozens of additional Canadian National and Union Pacific freight trains rolling each day through downtown Barrington at 40 miles an hour, up from 20 currently.
That’s in addition to the 50,000 cars and trucks that converge on Barrington each day, and 800 daily school bus trips. Barrington also attracts 70 Metra commuter trains per day. Each of these blocks the main north-south and east-west streets through downtown for a few minutes as passengers come and go.
“If they build another track, there’s going to be a much greater impact than we’re feeling now, so more has to happen in response. We may need another underpass, or maybe two other underpasses,” said Darch in an interview last month. “And a greater portion of the funding should come from businesses that are benefiting from traveling the rail.”
Report continues here.
Posted in Daily Herald, Entertainment, Fools and their money, Politics, Road construction, Taxes, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on August 31, 2026| Leave a Comment »
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
Barrington officials are celebrating the completion of phase one of the village’s downtown streetscape project, which they hope will boost the town center as a regional attraction.
The $1.5 million project included replacing deteriorating sidewalk pavers with new concrete and clay brick accents, and resurfacing and restriping aging streets.
New landscaping includes flower beds and planters bursting with color.
“From the beginning, our goal was to create a downtown that is more beautiful, accessible, welcoming and easier to maintain for years to come,” Village Manager Scott Anderson said.
Village President Mike Moran noted the work also creates expanded outdoor dining spaces (but not parking) for businesses such as Cook Street Coffee and Gigi Wine Bar and Bistro.
Article continues here.
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Daily Herald, IDOT, Lake, Road construction, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass, Unions on August 13, 2026| Leave a Comment »
“Route 59 from Cuba Road to Route 22 in North Barrington will be closed to traffic for more than a month beginning Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sept. 15.
The closure is necessary to replace the large box culvert under the highway and is part of the $2.17 million GHO Stormwater Drainage Project, designed to address 20 years of flooding in the area. The detour route is Route 59 to Cuba Road to Ela Road to Route 12 to Route 22.
Motorists should allow extra travel time. Visit northbarrington.org for more information about the stormwater drainage project.”
Posted in Aunt Blabby, Community Alerts, Real Estate, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on July 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »
“Beginning Monday, July 27, Hough Street (Route 59) will be reduced to one lane in each direction south of Northwest Highway as work begins on the next phase of the Route 14 underpass project. This stage includes construction of the culvert that will carry the relocated Flint Creek.
Traffic changes include:
This is the first stage of Hough Street construction, and the temporary traffic pattern is expected to remain in place for at least one month. During this time, the contractor will also evaluate opportunities to complete additional work as part of this stage, which could increase the duration of these lane reductions.
A traffic map is attached and shown below. Drivers, please plan for delays and use caution when traveling through the area.
Stay updated on the Route 14 underpass project by visiting the dedicated project website at us14underpass.com and subscribing to receive email alerts.”
Posted in Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on June 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »
“Starting tomorrow, June 2, AT&T crews will begin utility relocation work along northbound Hough Street/Route 59, just south of Route 14, as part of the Route 14 underpass project.
To accommodate the work, one right lane will be temporarily closed. The closure is expected to remain in place through Friday, June 12, weather permitting.
Drivers, please plan for possible delays and use caution when traveling through the area.”
Posted in Aunt Blabby, EJ&E/Canadian National, IDOT, Public Safety, Real Estate, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on May 8, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Construction activity has ramped back up over the past month, with crews completing the following work:
Weather permitting, the contractor plans to begin excavation and installation of a new storm sewer on Drury Lane over the next month, along with continued construction of the railroad bridge structure.
To stay informed and receive project updates, please visit the dedicated project website us14underpass.com or watch for email notifications.
Posted May 6, 2026
Posted in Aunt Blabby, IDOT, Privacy, Public Safety, Road construction, Taxes, Traffic, U.S. Route 14 Underpass, Unions on March 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »
When the weather conditions permitted, construction activity continued through the winter months. Between January and March, crews completed the following work:
Preparation for permanent sheeting installations
Permanent sheeting installation is required along the Route 14 corridor to support excavation and construction of the lowered roadway. Following excavation work, concrete formwork will cover the sheets, completing the final retaining wall structure. The contractor has completed pavement removal and surface preparation, positioning the start of this permanent sheet work this spring.
Ongoing construction of the storm sewer pump station
Following substantial completion of the pump pit structure last year, work on the pump station has continued through the winter. Activities included installing stairs and handrails, placing drains, removing concrete formwork and backfilling, applying waterproofing, retaining wall work, installing electrical conduit, and structure preparation and construction of masonry walls. For more information on the pump station, please refer to the December 2025 update.
Water Main and Storm Sewer Installation
Elevation changes associated with the lowering of Route 14 necessitate the rerouting of some existing Village utilities and installation of new facilities. Earlier this year, crews completed storm sewer and water main relocation work on Route 14 near Drury Lane. They also began installing additional storm sewer infrastructure to drain the future underpass, which will connect to the pump station structure.
Route 14 Culvert Construction
As part of the project, Flint Creek will be relocated to maintain gravity flow. Currently crossing under Route 14 just west of the railroad tracks, the creek will be shifted farther west toward Route 59, where it will flow beneath Route 14 through a new storm sewer culvert. Construction of this culvert is underway, with excavation work completed and forming and rebar placement work underway. The culvert’s bottom slab will be formed and poured first, followed by the walls and top of the structure. After completion of this work, a similar structure will be constructed to carry the creek under Route 59.
Continued relocating utilities
Utility relocation work has continued throughout the winter and will progress alongside upcoming construction activities.
Weather and material availability permitting, the contractor plans to begin sheeting and excavation work necessary to begin construction of the railroad bridge this month. As this work progresses, the contractor will refine plans for the remainder of this year.
To stay informed and receive project updates, please visit the dedicated project website us14underpass.com or watch for email notifications.
Posted in 220, Daily Herald, EJ&E/Canadian National, Land Use, METRA, Real Estate, School Districts, Transparency, U.S. Route 14 Underpass on March 11, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Rendering of The Residences at Liberty Commons | Courtesy of the Barrington Development Co.
By Steve Zalusky | Daily Herald
Developers aiming to build a $100 million residential complex at Barrington’s Golden Triangle addressed village trustees’ concerns about traffic, while also emphasizing the need to fast-track the project.
The proposal for The Residences at Liberty Commons calls for 16 studio apartments, 119 one-bedroom, 66 two-bedroom, six three-bedroom and 16 townhouses (223 units).
Michael Fleck and Nick Marrocco of the Barrington Development Co. told trustees Monday they will have their traffic consultant, KLOA, conduct a full traffic study of the area, which is already clogged with traffic.
“I think our interests are definitely aligned here,” Fleck said. “We want to make sure that the development is good for Barrington, good for the residents and no further burden.”
Fleck said the overall conclusion of an initial study is the development, bounded by Liberty, Hough and the railroad tracks, will have a modest effect on the surrounding street network.
Fleck noted the development’s location is less than a half-mile from the Barrington Metra station.
Article continues here.
Related: “New residential development floated for Barrington’s Golden Triangle”
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