Construction on Route 53 to start Monday in Long Grove

The two-lane Route 53 resurfacing project through Long Grove is set to begin Monday, and officials are urging motorists to find alternate routes.

The work won’t be as life altering as resurfacing its larger namesake — the Route 53 expressway — but officials said it will cause plenty of headaches and delays for many drivers in southern Lake County.

Illinois Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jae Miller said the project will involve 2.18 miles of resurfacing and patching on Route 53 from Old McHenry Road to just north of Lake-Cook Road. It will require that traffic be reduced to one lane with flaggers.

Motorists in the area should expect delays until the project is completed Oct. 31, weather permitting, Miller said.

Long Grove Village Manager Dave Lothspeich said the road definitely needs to be repaved, but the timing of the work is suspect because it bleeds into the start of the new school year.

“It’s unfortunate that there isn’t a detour plan in place for the area,” Lothspeich said Friday. “We sent out notices to our residents, homeowner associations and municipalities to warn them of the construction in order to give drivers enough time to find alternate routes.” To make matters worse, he said, the impact of construction on a busy Route 53 will cause traffic problems on other arterial roads in the Long Grove area.

“The road definitely needs to be repaved and, in the big picture, we are fortunate it is getting done,” he said. “But, between the added traffic due to school back in session, along with this construction, it’s going to cause major congestion on other arterial roads.”

Miller said drivers are urged to pay close attention to the signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, be on the alert for workers and equipment, expect delays and be prepared to stop.

For additional details on other construction projects visit www.dot.state.il.us.