Barrington approves its end of deal to shift Lake Zurich Road

Citing safety concerns, Barrington village board members have approved their end of a proposed agreement with the town's library allowing the realignment of Lake Zurich Road at Northwest Highway.

Under the proposal, Lake Zurich Road would move south so it intersects with a traffic signal at Northwest Highway and Berry Road, the entry to Barrington Area Library. A stop sign currently controls traffic on westbound Lake Zurich Road at Northwest Highway.

But for the realignment to occur, the library's board first must agree to sell a parking lot to the village. Under the tentative deal approved by village trustees Monday night, the village will buy the land for an appraised price, subject to Illinois Department of Transportation concurrence.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the library board said it has several concerns ahead of an expected vote on the proposed deal this spring. They include the safety of roughly 1,000 daily visitors and the potential loss of a little more than 2 acres of open space, possibly affecting future growth and the environment of the library setting.

"As it continues to review the proposal, the library board is committed to thoroughly researching and thoughtfully considering every aspect of the proposal and its impact on the library district and its services," the statement reads.

At least 14 crashes have been recorded at Lake Zurich Road and Northwest Highway in the past few years, according to the village. If built, federal money would fund 50 percent of the $5.9 million Lake Zurich Road shift, with the state and village chipping in 25 percent apiece, officials said.

Barrington Trustee Jason Lohmeyer said Lake Zurich Road is "an extremely important safety issue."

"I'm excited to have a (proposed deal) crafted and be able to submit to the library," Lohmeyer said. "So, for me that's a huge win."

Village officials said the library would receive several benefits from the realignment, including a new parking area with more spaces at no cost, a safer walkway along Northwest Highway and an improved entrance ending the need for patrons to walk through lot traffic to get inside. They also cited safety benefits for visitors to neighboring Citizens Park.

Plans also call for construction of a stormwater detention pond and a new entrance to the library from the relocated Lake Zurich Road through a small roundabout. Village officials said the library would not pay for that construction.

Greg Summers, Barrington's director of development services, said Northwest Highway drivers would benefit as well from a plan for a dedicated left-turn arrow if they want to travel southeast onto Lake Zurich Road.

Library officials said they are "taking into thoughtful consideration" input on the plan provided by nearby residents and patrons. The village said written comments received in 2012 show strong support the relocation.

Separately, Darch said Barrington still is pushing for an underpass at the Canadian National Railway crossing at Route 14 just north of Lake Zurich Road.