Cook County details upcoming road projects

You can find out in advance if you're going to be stuck in Cook County traffic. Or better yet, find an alternate route.

County officials gave details of a $65 million road work plan Thursday that includes new website features allowing drivers to check on construction in their area.

If you're sitting in gridlock, "the first thing that comes to mind is, 'if only I'd known, I would have taken another route,'" Commissioner Deborah Sims said.

The road work budget is up by about 18 percent, compared to $55 million spent in 2010. The most significant projects this year will be in the south suburbs involving rebuilding roads in Hickory Hills, Palos Hills, Lynwood and Ford Heights.

County engineers decide what roads will be repaired based on condition and safety, Highways Superintendent John Yonan said. For example, if an intersection has a high rate of accidents, it's considered a priority.

Here's a look at some traffic tie-ups in the Northwest suburbs this season:

Ÿ Resurfacing on Quentin Road in Palatine for $3.8 million.

Ÿ Pavement patching on Bartlett Road in Streamwood and Hoffman Estates for $3 million.

Ÿ Rebuilding and widening on Penny Road in Barrington Hills for $2.5 million.

Ÿ Resurfacing and repairs on Euclid Avenue in Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights and Rolling Meadows plus drainage improvements on Quentin Road in Palatine for $1.6 million.

Ÿ A pedestrian underpass on Green Bay Road in Kenilworth and resurfacing on Harms Road in Glenview and Skokie for $1.3 million combined.

Ÿ Resurfacing on Mount Prospect Road in Des Plaines and Mount Prospect for $485,700.

Ÿ Pavement reconstruction and widening on Lake-Cook Road in Deerfield. Costs were not available.

The $65 million road budget also anticipates reimbursements from federal and local governments, officials said.

To check on road projects in your town, go to http://cookviewer1.cookcountyil.gov/jsviewer/hwy/project.html.