River Road reconstruction in Des Plaines could begin this spring

Des Plaines could begin widening River Road between Touhy and Devon avenues near the site of the proposed casino as soon as April under a deal with the state.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will hand over jurisdiction of that portion of Des Plaines River Road to the city, along with the $8 million in funding to reconstruct the roadway, said Tim Oakley, Des Plaines director of public works and engineering.

"I'm thinking we can get the agreement (with the state) done in March," Oakley said.

The city will hire a contractor for the project and supervise the construction, which would likely start in late April/early May, Oakley said.

"That's the only way we can get the project expedited," he said. "If it's left to IDOT, it would not be done before the casino opens."

Des Plaines city leaders and a representative of casino developer Midwest Gaming & Entertainment met with state transportation officials last May to request a speedier construction timeline.

Oakley said usually with projects done jointly with the state, the city would pay the cost upfront and get reimbursed later. But considering the cost for this project, the city will make sure to get the money in advance before starting work, he said.

"In this case, they are paying 90 percent of the cost upfront," Oakley said.

The casino project - planned for more than 20 acres fronting the Tri-State Tollway at the northwest corner of Devon Avenue and River Road - is targeted for a spring 2011 opening.

IDOT's total reconstruction of the roughly 4-mile stretch of River Road between Rand Road and Devon Avenue wasn't expected to begin until early 2011.

"It's a matter of timing and their scheduling," Oakley said. "They don't have enough review engineers to review it."

The nearly $43 million River Road reconstruction project is included in the state's $11.25 billion five-year road improvement plan.

The project calls for raising River Road roughly two feet to act as a buffer against the Des Plaines River, and widened it to five lanes between Touhy Avenue and Devon Avenue. The portion between Rand Road and Touhy will be completed by the state.