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New road closure coming in Lake Barrington

A stretch of River Road in Lake Barrington soon will be shut down for the second time in nearly a year as crews continue constructing a traffic roundabout at Roberts Road.

River will be closed to most motorists between Roberts and Kelsey roads starting Monday, July 13, for about five months, Lake County Transportation Division officials said Tuesday.

Drivers needing access to homes and businesses between Roberts and Kelsey will be able to get through.

Transportation officials are recommending using Roberts Road, Route 59 and Kelsey Road as a detour around the work zone.

Glenn Petko, an engineer of construction with the transportation division, said he expects his staff will receive some complaints about the closure.

"Any time you have to drive farther it's an inconvenience, but it's the only safe way to construct the project," Petko said.

A segment of River Road was similarly shut down between August and February in an earlier stage of the project. It reopened in February to allow driving during the late winter and spring, he said.

"We didn't want to have it closed the whole duration (of the project)," Petko said.

The $6.5 million project will construct a roundabout at what is now the T-shaped intersection at River and Roberts roads.

With their lack of corners and stop signs, roundabouts are designed to move traffic more efficiently and improve safety through intersections. Proponents say roundabouts also improve air quality because vehicles don't stop and idle.

It'll be Lake County's fifth roundabout and the first with multiple lanes.

In the late fall, both River and Roberts roads will be closed to motorists for 20 days so crews can finalize the circular roadway, Petko said.

Petko said he hopes the project will be completed around Thanksgiving.

County officials lay out road construction plans

River Road to reopen in Lake Barrington:

River Road to reopen:

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