Four lanes of Grand Avenue in east Gurnee to open for winter
Work is now underway on a short but crucial stretch of a major, long-delayed project to improve traffic flow near Grand Avenue and Route 41 on the east side of Gurnee.
The demolition of the Union Pacific Railroad's temporary bridge just east of Route 41 marks a turning point in the project to widen Grand Avenue that began in 2016.
Until 5 a.m. Monday, Grand Avenue is closed at the bridge just east of Route 41 to remove the bridge and install temporary pavement between Route 41 and Waveland Avenue. Beginning next week through winter, Grand Avenue will be two lanes in each direction, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
In early spring, Grand Avenue traffic will return to one lane in each direction between Route 41 and Waveland to complete the project. That includes widening Grand to include turn lanes, widening the southbound Route 41 ramp and installing new sidewalks, curbs, retaining walls and storm sewers.
When complete, that will mark the end of work at the Grand Avenue/Route 41 intersection, according to IDOT spokeswoman Maria Castaneda.
The stretch including the temporary railroad bridge is short but crucial in the scheme of things, said Jack Linehan, assistant to the village administrator.
"This is a 10," he said. "It's an extremely important project."
"It impacts our residents and our businesses on the east side (of Gurnee) considerably. Two lanes each will substantially increase access out there."
The village in recent years has taken measures to beautify the corridor, such as relaunching a farmers market, to assist struggling businesses in the area. The most recent work is part of a long-term effort, Linehan said. Route 41 was widened about 10 years ago, and the focus has moved to Grand Avenue.
"We've been pushing for years," Linehan said.
This part of the project originally was scheduled to have been completed in spring 2019, he added.
According to IDOT, delays occurred because of utility relocations and the fabrication of structural steel for the permanent railroad bridge.
Over the last several years, the Route 41 bridge over Grand Avenue and the railroad bridge have been rebuilt, Castenda said. Also, Grand Avenue on either side of Route 41 and Route 41 south of Grand have been resurfaced the last two years, she added.