Big Timber Road to close Aug. 18 in Elgin

A portion of Big Timber Road in Elgin will close later this month, city officials said in a news release.

Big Timber Road from Todd Farm Drive to McLean Boulevard will close for at least five days beginning Aug. 18 for work on the railroad track spur at 1600 Big Timber Road.

Barricades will be in place Aug. 17. The closure might last longer if there are weather-related delays.

Drivers will be detoured onto McLean Boulevard and Todd Farm Drive. Local traffic is encouraged to use alternate routes at Wing Street, Royal Boulevard, Davis Road and Fox Lane to access Route 31 and Randall Road.

Elgin Police Sgt. Kevin Senne said the track spur that crosses Big Timber Road has deteriorated over the years. The spur used to lead to a warehouse and is now unused, he said.

"They are replacing the buffer around the track so there aren't bumps on the road anymore," he said. "Over the years we've had increasing more and more cars blow out tires. The road will be nice and smooth."

Businesses and business entrances on Big Timber Road will be accessible during the road closure, which will not affect Metra service or access to the parking lot at the Big Timber station, officials said.