‘We’re moving along’: Another step taken in Old McHenry Crossings project
Construction likely is still a few years away but work continues on the details of what could be the largest single road project undertaken in Lake County.
On Tuesday, the Lake County Board approved an agreement with the Wisconsin Central Limited railroad regarding a planned underpass at the tracks on Old McHenry Road in Hawthorn Woods.
County officials appropriated $40,000 to reimburse the railroad for its review of the underpass engineering plans when they are completed. The actual cost is estimated at about $31,000.
“It's just another step in the project,” said Chuck Gleason, project engineer for the Lake County Division of Transportation. “We’re moving along.”
An underpass, known as a grade separation, is a key element of the Old McHenry Crossings project planned to ease congestion, increase public access and improve safety centered in the Hawthorn Woods/Lake Zurich area along Old McHenry Road. About 30,000 vehicles a day travel in the area.
This part of the project involves road and intersection improvements; an underpass; a new bike path and sidewalk; lighting; and, drainage and landscape improvements on Old McHenry Road from Fairfield Road to Bonnie Lane.
The crossing is under the jurisdiction of the Canadian National Railway, which runs up to 20 freight trains a day.
To build the underpass, a roadway crossing the railroad right of way will have to be built and the rail line temporarily relocated to keep freight traffic moving, according to Shane Schneider, LCDOT director/county engineer.
Then a railroad bridge will have to be built and the road constructed beneath it, he added.
The county is in the beginning stage of design engineering. Schneider said it's standard process to reimburse the railroad to review plans.
The county will be pursuing federal funds aggressively and if received, federal laws require the railroad contribute 5% of the construction cost, which likely would far exceed the plan review cost, he added.
Visit the project website, https://omxproject.com for more information.