Fix for chronic flooding on Route 59 in North Barrington set to begin

A project years in the making to address chronic flooding along Route 59 and neighboring streets in North Barrington is set to get underway.

Village officials announced the start of the $2.17 million GHO Stormwater Drainage Project, designed to address 20 years of flooding on Route 59 south of Route 22.

The road in that area has been closed six times due to stormwater impacts, most recently on April 18, as hazardous driving conditions resulted from water overtopping the road, according to the village.

Village streets also have seen severe flooding for many years. The failed system to be replaced has negatively affected more than 40 properties and 250 acres within the watershed area.

GHO stands for the Grassmere Farms, Haverton and Oaksbury neighborhoods in the area. The genesis of the regional project began in 2023 when the village approved an engineering agreement to develop plans for flooding relief.

On April 22, the village approved a contract with Copenhaver Construction Inc., for the project. The village was notified last week that all necessary permits from the Illinois Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Lake County Stormwater Management Commission had been approved.

Improvements will involve replacing a failed stormwater pipe beneath Route 59 and installing water conveyance systems, including open channels and a limited amount of piping.

A timeline was not given but when complete, the project will significantly reduce flooding on Route 59 south of Route 22, mitigate flooding on a local street and provide relief to private property owners, according to a village news release.

Route 59 will be temporarily closed for a time during the project with advance notice to be given once the timing and duration are determined.

Village President Eleanor Sweet McDonnell said the project wouldn’t have been possible without the cooperation of regulatory agencies and 16 easements provided by property owners.

“Anyone that has traveled the highway during flooded conditions owe a debt of gratitude to the residents that stepped up and became part of the solution to this 20-year unsafe regional flooding problem,” Sweet McDonnell said.

Funding is from a grant of up to $2.5 million secured by SMC through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and up to $600,000 provided by IDOT for improvement in the right of way.