Route 53 Extension Project is 'Effectively Dead'

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Illinois Tollway announced last week it would not complete the environmental impact survey for the Tri-County Access Project, formerly known as the IL Route 53/120 Project. Tollway officials put the brakes on the project, a proposed thoroughfare that would have extended Route 53 from Palatine to Grayslake and meant to ease traffic congestion throughout the area, due to financial constraints and a lack of clear support from Lake County officials, according to the Lake County News-Sun.

The environmental impact survey, which was voted down last week by the Tollway Board, was intended to be a comprehensive regional study conducted by the Illinois Tollway to evaluate potential environmentally and fiscally responsible solutions to ease regional traffic congestion in Lake, northern Cook and eastern McHenry counties.

"Lake County will continue to advocate and work closely with the Illinois Department of Transportation, municipal, township and State elected officials to improve traffic congestion based on priorities identified in the Lake County State Highway Consensus Plan," said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart.

Efforts have been made to advance projects identified in the state highway consensus plan, but over $1.2 billion in project work remains, county officials said Friday. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a $45 billion “Rebuild Illinois” state infrastructure plan in late June which will advance some of these projects.

Among the projects included in the bill are the interchange reconstruction at U.S. 41 at IL 176 in Lake Bluff and North Chicago and reconstruction and widening of IL 22 from Quentin Road to west of IL 83 in Kildeer and Long Grove.

County officials also said the Lake County Board has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing traffic congestion relief by adopting an updated strategic plan at its July board meeting. The plan continues the emphasis on strategies and actions the County will take to support a sustainable transportation system.

This includes the use of new and emerging technologies, applications, and studies to enhance safety, and continuing to develop a modern, multi-modal and comprehensive transportation system that reduces trip times, air pollution and carbon emissions, protects our valuable open space and positions Lake County to be competitive in a 21st-century economy, according to a news release from the county.

Those opposed to the project have long cited the potential impact it would have woods and wetlands in Long Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Grayslake and Mundelein, according to the Lake County News-Sun.

“The Route 53 extension would have destroyed sensitive wetlands that store rainwater and are home to vital species, impaired the air quality for the people, especially children, who live and go to school along the corridor, cost almost $3 billion, and perhaps worst of all—it would not have solved the congestion problem," county board member Jessica Vealitzek said. “The Tollway Authority made the right decision.”

State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, praised the decision to call off the environmental impact study, which leaves the Route 53 expansion project "effectively dead.

I am pleased to hear that this multi-billion dollar project that would have put an even further burden on middle-class families in my district will not continue," he said.

Yingling added that the focus should be on improving the current roadways in place in Lake County.

“Lake County and the state need to be investing resources to improve our existing infrastructure, and with the passage of the capital bill, Lake County will have the resources to improve our roads and reduce the amount of traffic we face," he said in a statement. "I look forward to working towards fixing our county’s roads without the distraction that Route 53 caused.”

Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, said transportation solutions were still needed "that improve public safety, and provide congestion relief while protecting our environment."

"It's time we fixed the existing Route 120. It's a feasible, cost-effective solution that will provide tangible benefits to Lake County commuters," she said in a statement. "The State of Illinois needs to build on the work of our local mayors and implement the 120 Corridor Capacity Plan, including the grade level separation at 120 and the 83 railroad crossing.”