Des Plaines streetlight plans at Lee and Forest move forward

Plans to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Lee Street and Forest Avenue in Des Plaines are moving along.

The city council this week approved a letter of concurrence with the Illinois Department of Transportation that would allow the state agency to invoke its "quick-take" condemnation powers, should the city reach an impasse in negotiating with any property owner over right-of-way land acquisition.

City officials say right-of-way will be needed in a narrow strip along Lee Street.

Federal funds will pay for 80 percent of the estimated $2.5 million total cost of the signal. Construction is scheduled for 2017.