Forest preserve staff prefers underpass for road project

A tunnel beneath Milwaukee Avenue south of Casey Road is the preferred option of Lake County Forest Preserve staff, as part of a pending Illinois Department of Transportation project to widen Milwaukee north of Route 137.

Part of the $32 million plan, being funded by Lake County, calls for a trail crossing but it had been undetermined whether it would be an overpass or an underpass. The forest preserve has envisioned connecting the Libertyville Township trail to the west with the Des Plaines River trail since 1989.

The underpass would be designed for bicyclists and pedestrian use. Equestrians would cross at Casey Road, where a traffic signal will be installed. The two-year road project is expected to begin in late summer 2011.