Lombard plans Madison intersection improvements

As one of the gateways to Lombard from the west, the T-intersection of Madison Street and Route 53 could use some improvements, village officials say.

No left turns are permitted at the intersection, either from Madison to southbound Route 53 or southbound Route 53 to eastbound Madison. In addition, engineers say the steep grade on Madison is less than ideal.

But the long road to adding two left-turn lanes and a traffic signal at the intersection began last week when Lombard trustees approved a $144,768 contract with an engineering firm for the first phase of design work.

Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., of Rosemont, has been hired to prepare a report that will become the basis of construction documents to be drawn later, village engineer David Dratnol said.

Dratnol expects the documents to show a need to restructure the hill at the intersection in order to create left-turn lanes.

“It’s enough of a downgrade coming off Madison that we are going to be regrading a portion of the street to flatten out the slope in the interest of improving the safety of the intersection,” Dratnol said. “The left-turn movement is restricted right now so this is intended to accommodate (it).”

The improvements will take years to design and construct, Dratnol said, partially because the Illinois Department of Transportation is involved and certain protocols most be followed, and partially because road construction always is a slow process.

But trustee Greg Gron, who also leads the village board’s public works committee, said he’s glad the project is getting started and believes the improvements will help clear traffic congestion.

“It’ll alleviate some of the traffic mess off St. Charles Road in rush hour,” Gron said.

Aside from the contract with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, trustees set aside an additional $278,000 in motor fuel tax funding for the second phase of engineering and design work.

While actual construction won’t begin for a few years, Dratnol said nearby residents and drivers may see surveyors testing the soil in the near future.

“Be careful around people working in the right of way,” Dratnol said. “Pay attention to what’s happening so that everyone stays safe.”