3 roundabouts in Lake County’s 2026 construction program

Lake County’s affinity for roundabouts continues with three more to be built this summer but they are just another part of a full package of projects on tap this construction season.

Work is underway on some of 30 planned projects that include a bit of everything including resurfacing several roads and the continuation of two large projects into a second year.

A total dollar amount and map listing all projects is expected to be released next week by the Lake County Division of Transportation but as always there is plenty to go around.

Work already has started for bike path and sidewalk improvements along Washington Street from Sextant Drive to Almond Road in the Gurnee area, according to LCDOT spokesperson Alex Carr.

That project will close a key gap in a bike path network and ultimately link downtown Round Lake with the Des Plaines River Trail.

Also gearing up for a second construction season are the Reconstruction of Arlington Heights Road in the Buffalo Grove/Long Grove area and widening and other improvements at Hunt Club Road and Washington Street in Gurnee.

On April 13, the intersection of Russell Road and Kenosha Road/47th Avenue in northern Lake County will be closed to all traffic for about 90 days to build a new single-lane roundabout.

This will be the first of two roundabouts along Russell Road with a second planned later this summer at Lewis Avenue/39th Avenue/EZ.

Also on April 13, LCDOT will be closing Russell Road for 14 days to repair the bridge deck over the Des Plaines River.

In Antioch, a roundabout also is scheduled this summer for Deep Lake Road and Depot Street. That intersection will be closed for 100 days to accommodate the work.

The three planned roundabouts will bring Lake County’s total to 14. According to LCDOT, roundabouts improve safety and efficiency by keeping traffic moving at slower, more consistent speeds and in one direction.

Besides those projects, Carr said the county has a big preservation lineup with several resurfacing projects on the schedule:

• Cedar Lake Road from Hart Road to Monaville Road and, from Townline Road to Amarias Drive.

• Fairfield Road from Nippersink Road to Route 60.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from Route 131 to Commonwealth Avenue.

• Old McHenry Road from Cuba Road to Quentin Road.

• Russell Road from Kilbourne Road to Route 132.