While drivers will have to endure one more weekend of inconvenience, users of Lake Forest’s Deerpath Road are set for an end to the construction on the heavily traveled street over the next few weeks.
In a project that began in March, Commonwealth Edison personnel have been working to replace the utility’s pedestrian bridge over Deerpath, which runs parallel to Route 41, leading to some congestion on one of the city’s main east-west thoroughfares.
As crews are set to elevate the new bridge deck and place it on support walls, most drivers will have to use an alternative route starting Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. until Nov. 21 at 5 a.m., according to a city statement.
During that time, Deerpath will be completely shut down between Ahwahnee Lane and Route 41. Deerpath will remain open for local traffic from Green Bay Road to Ahwahnee. Over that weekend, drivers are encouraged to go on Green Bay south to Westleigh Road to reach Route 41 and Waukegan Road, per the city.
The Route 41 exit and entrance ramps will remain open, but Deerpath will only be accessible west of the closure, according to city spokeswoman Dana Olson.
The city had originally been informed by ComEd this aspect of the work required two weekend closures, but it was eventually cut down to one.
Ahead of the bridge replacement, there is set to be final batch of resurfacing this week requiring intermittent lane closures and associated traffic delays, with only one lane of traffic open between Ahwahnee Lane and Route 41 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. allowing for concrete pouring.
In addition, on Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., there will only be one lane of traffic open in this spot for additional preparation for the bridge replacement. Personnel will be on hand to direct traffic.
Public Works Director Michael Thomas said he hopes the entire venture will be completed in December.
Looking at the overall year in terms of the construction, city officials spoke of a series of projects at Monday’s City Council meeting.
“We know it was a busy year, but busy is good when it comes to addressing some of these long-term infrastructure issues,” City Manager Jason Wicha said.
Thomas took the City Council through the series of infrastructure enhancements, including the recently completed $5 million Burr Oak storm sewer improvements, which were partially funded through the state and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.
“It was a very successful project for the Burr Oak area,” Thomas said. “One that was really needed.”
Thomas also mentioned the status of the pump station at Deerpath and Route 41, where the goal is to prevent excess water at the flooding-prone underpass.
The $12 million project is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Transportation.
“The pumps will be in sometime in December,” Thomas said. “When the project is complete, we will be handed the keys and we will own that 100%. There will be a year warranty, but it will be ours to maintain.”
