Grayslake businesses seek change in Route 45 work

A collection of small business owners on Route 45 in Grayslake is keeping the heat on state transportation officials regarding a project they say is needed but not designed properly.

Widening the heavily traveled section of Route 45 from Route 120 to Washington Street is a good idea, business interests said Tuesday at a news conference at Fast Jacks car wash.

However, the 15-year-old plan that calls for an impassable median is unnecessary and would block access to local businesses that have invested millions since the original plan surfaced, they added.

Former Grayslake mayor Tim Perry was on the board of the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce & Industry that passed a resolution in 1994 saying the raised median would restrict access and "severely damage the ability of existing businesses to prosper."

Though the project length has been shortened from Route 120 to Washington Street rather than Rollins Road, the current chamber board on Nov. 5 reiterated its position in the exact language.

Despite the time lag, Perry said, the project is still bad for more than two dozen businesses because it includes the same ill-advised median.

State Rep. Sandy Cole of Grayslake also supported the businesses in their fight and suggested a mountable median to allow access.

"These plans are 15 years old. There's no reason why they can't change," she said.

Business owners agree the widening project, scheduled to begin in early to mid-2010, is needed to move traffic.

"What is the point of cutting our businesses off? That's not where the accidents are anyway," said Lisa Smith, co-owner of Eagle Flag & Flagpoles Inc.

Owners began voicing their concerns early this year. They since have made a YouTube video and had several meetings with state Sen. Michael Bond, who secured funding for the project.

Bond said he has met with the owners six times and with Illinois Department of Transporation officials twice.

"We've been working together quite extensively to try and determine some alternative design," he said.

IDOT has included more median "cut ins" to allow access and is considering left-turn lanes that would allow for U-turns on the five-lane improved road, he added.

Connecting the parking lots of the businesses is another element being considered.

"I'm optimistic IDOT is working with us and is trying to be creative," Bond said.