Road construction woes in Gurnee

Some Gurnee residents on the village's east side near the major Route 41 construction project that began last week already are experiencing rush-hour commuting problems just trying to depart their neighborhoods.

Community development director David Ziegler, speaking at a village board meeting this week, said he received calls from the affected neighborhoods Monday. He said he's seeking help from the Lake County Division of Transportation.

Trustee Greg Garner said he hopes something can be done for east-side village residents who want to come and go from their homes. He lives in the vicinity of what he said are trouble spots at First Street and Grand Avenue, and Greenleaf Avenue and Washington Street.

"I'm getting calls from neighbors saying, 'I can't get out of my driveway. What are you going to do?' "

Temporary daytime lane closures began last week for advance work on the $28 million project to reconfigure the ramps at Route 41 and Grand Avenue. After more than 65 years, the intersection will shift to more traditional right-side ramps.

Commuters looking to avoid traffic snarls on Grand Avenue have been seeking other east-west routes such as Washington Street, which also is under construction in Gurnee west from Route 41.

Ziegler said the county recently made minor adjustments in the timing of traffic signals on Washington in an attempt get more left-turn drivers through on a green light from southbound Greenleaf. He said he also is seeking creation of a turn lane until Greenleaf shoulder work begins in the spring.

Construction at Route 41 and Grand is projected to end in October 2009.