Lake Villa mayor hopefuls worry about business owners on Route 83

As the candidates for Lake Villa mayor look forward to the start of the $20 million project to widen Route 83 on the north side of their village, they are also concerned about how the construction mess could disrupt businesses along the way.

Incumbent Frank Loffredo and challenger Joyce Frayer both say they know it's impossible to protect shop owners from all possible threats, but they have ideas on how to lessen the blow.

"Whenever you have development and improvement, you also have some disruption," Loffredo said. "We will use our influence with the Illinois Department of Transportation to make sure all entrances to business remain clear and open."

The Route 83 widening project also calls for adding a median and turn lane, sidewalks, improving drainage and modernizing traffic signals along the 4.6-mile route from Petite Lake Road in Lake Villa through Antioch to the Wisconsin state line. The stretch of road is used by 12,000 motorists each day.

Loffredo, 63, also said the village would temporarily relax rules on sign placement.

"We would be more liberal with our sign ordinances," he said. "We want business owners to be able to alert motorists that they are open. The signs need to be seen from the street."

Frayer, 66, a former Lake Villa mayor and trustee, hopes IDOT and their contractors keep their promise to provide signs to be posted at driveways alerting motorists where to turn.

"We would work closely with state officials to ensure driveways stay unobstructed," she said.

Frayer also hopes people will take alternate routes during the two years of construction to alleviate congestion. "It will be a matter of everyone working together to make things go as smooth as possible."

The project is set to begin next summer, and is expected to be completed by fall 2010.