Route 41 construction starts Saturday in Gurnee

Long-awaited reconstruction of the Route 41-Grand Avenue intersection in Gurnee is set to begin Saturday.

Illinois Department of Transportation officials announced temporary daytime lane closures will be required for advance work on the $28 million project. Full-blown construction activity is to launch in March.

Route 41's ramps at Grand Avenue in Gurnee will be reconfigured to eliminate entering and exiting in the left lane. After more than 65 years, the intersection will switch to more traditional right-side ramps.

Many motorists use Route 41 - a highway with few stoplights at major intersections - as a way to connect to I-94 on the way to Chicago or Wisconsin. Route 41 also is used by drivers looking to escape fees on the Tri-State Tollway.

IDOT warns that Route 41 will be down to one lane in each direction on the north-south highway when full construction work begins. Ramps also will be closed at Grand Avenue.

Construction is tentatively pegged to end in October 2009. State officials started talking about improving the Route 41-Grand Avenue intersection nearly 30 years ago.

Gurnee officials have said they expect signs to be posted suggesting preferred detours.

Glendale Heights-based Dunnet Bay Construction is leading the project.