IL 59 to US41
CAG/TAG Meeting #5
May 24, 2016
CAG-TAG Workshop #5 Summary
Summary: The fifth CAG-TAG workshop for the Illinois Route 173 (IL 173) Phase I Study was held on Tuesday,
May 24, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. It was located at the Antioch Township Hall, 1625 Deep Lake Road,
Lake Villa, Illinois, 60046. The workshop included a Power Point presentation narrated by the workshop
facilitator and strip plots displaying alternatives for each of the different sections of the project. Exhibits
showcasing the typical sections for the alternatives were also on display.
The workshop presentation was divided into six main parts: 1) a welcome and overview of the day’s activities;
2) a review of project activities and recent coordination; 3) a summary of the alternatives to be carried
forward; 4) workshop to recommend a preferred alternative; 5) a summary of the workshop findings; and 6)
closing remarks.
Workshop: The aim of the workshop was for the CAG/TAG members to review the alternatives to be carried
forward for each section of the project corridor. There were four distinct sections along the project corridor
that were to be reviewed from west to east:
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Group 1: West Section - IL 59 to east of North Brown Avenue
Group 2: Central 1 Section east of North Brown Avenue to west of Redwing Parkway
Group 3: Central 2 Section - west of Redwing Parkway to west of I-94 Interchange
Group 4: East Section - east of I-94 Interchange to 21st Street
The CAG/TAG members were divided into four groups. Each group examined two (2) alternatives developed
for their section of the project corridor and were provided with a potential impact summary for each
alternative. Each group was tasked with providing a list of pros and cons of each of the preliminary
alternatives and then recommending a Preferred Alternative for that section. A presentation was made by
each group during which comments could be made by all members. A summary of the CAG/TAG’s
recommendation is presented below:
Group 1: West Section - IL 59 to east of North Brown Avenue
Alternative W-1B
Alternative W-1B consists of four 12’ lanes with an 18’ median on a shifted alignment and a 10’ shared use
path along the north side of IL 173. This alternative meets the desirable IDOT standards for an Urban SRA
Route while shifting the alignment slightly north from IL 59 to IL 83 to avoid impacts to Hillside Cemetery and
Antioch Lake. East of IL 83 to west of Grimm Road, the alignment shifts to the south to avoid impacts to the
Antioch High School athletic field. Retaining walls would be required along Hillside Cemetery, Lake Antioch
and the Antioch High School athletic field to avoid permanent impacts.
Alternative W-1D
Alternative W-1D consists of four 11’ lanes with a 16’ median on shifted alignment and an 8’ shared use path
along the north side of IL 173. This alternative would have a similar alignment shift as Alternative W-1B,
however the roadway width would be reduced by 7’. The purpose of this alternative is to provide a minimum
cross section width along with a consistent median width. Compared to Alternative W-1B, this alternative
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CAG/TAG Meeting #5
May 24, 2016
IL 59 to US41
would further reduce ROW impacts between IL 83 and Grimm Road. Retaining walls would be required along
Hillside Cemetery, Lake Antioch, and the Antioch High School athletic field to avoid permanent impacts.
Conclusion
The group recommended Alternative W-1D as their Preferred Alternative for this section of the project
corridor. This alternative would minimize the overall right-of-way (ROW) impacts, specifically to the numerous
businesses located along IL 173. The narrower lanes were perceived by the group to provide a “traffic
calming” effect that would result in slower driving speeds through this urban area of the project.
Alternative W-1B was not desirable due to the wider footprint and the greater need for ROW.
Group 2: Central 1 Section - east of North Brown Avenue to west of Redwing Parkway
Alternative C1-4A
Alternative C1-4A is along the existing alignment from east of North Brown Avenue and east of Deep Lake
Road. Beginning just east of Deep Lake Road, the alignment shifts 8’ south of the existing alignment to avoid
impacts to the Redwing Slough Land & Water Reserve and the Redwing INAI site. Alternative C1-4A consists of
the following design features:
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West of Deep Lake Road, the alternative consists of four 11’ lanes with an 18’ median on the existing
alignment and a 10’ shared use path on the north side of IL 173.
East of Deep Lake Road, the alternative consists of four 11’ lanes with an 18’ median on the shifted
alignment and a 10’ shared use path on the south side of IL 173; the median narrows to 6’ wide.
Retaining walls would be required to avoid impacts to the Redwing/Deer Land & Water Reserve Redwing and
the Redwing Slough INAI site which are both located east of Deep Lake Road and north of IL 173. Retaining
walls would be utilized along the south side of IL 173 to minimize impacts to the Raven Glen Forest Preserve
located east of Deep Lake Road and on the south side of IL 173.
Alternative C1-4B
Alternative C1-4B is along the existing alignment from east of North Brown Avenue and west of Redwing
Parkway. Alternative C1-4B consists of the similar design features as in alternative C1-4A. Retaining walls
would be required to avoid impacts to the Redwing/Deer Land & Water Reserve and minimize impacts to the
Redwing Slough INAI site which are both located east of Deep Lake Road and north of IL 173. Retaining walls
would be utilized along the south side of IL 173 to minimize impacts to the Raven Glen Forest Preserve located
east of Deep Lake Road and on the south side of IL 173.
Conclusion
The group recommended Alternative C1-4B as their Preferred Alternative for this section of the project
corridor. The alternative would minimize the overall ROW impacts, resulting in less impacts to Raven Glen
Forest Preserve, ADID wetlands and floodplain. In addition, this alternative maintains the existing alignment
resulting in less impacts to the Deep Lake Road intersection and less construction costs. The group noted that
0.01 acres of the Redwing Slough INAI site are potentially impacted but considered this a negligible amount of
impacts.
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IL 59 to US41
CAG/TAG Meeting #5
May 24, 2016
Alternative C1-4A was not desirable due to the greater need for ROW, impacts to the various resources in this
section & impacts to the Deep Lake Road intersection.
Group 3: Central 2 Section - west of Redwing Parkway to west of I-94 Interchange
Alternative C2-3C
Alternative C2-3C is along the existing alignment from west of Redwing Parkway to east of US 45. Beginning
just east of US 45, the alignment shifts 27’ north from existing to utilize the existing bridge at North Mill Creek
as the future eastbound lanes of IL 173. Beginning east of Crawford Road, the alignment shifts back to
existing. Alternative C2-3C consists of the following design features:
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From west of Redwing Parkway to east of US 45, the alternative consists of four 12’ lanes with a 30’
median on the existing alignment and a 10’ shared use path on the south side of IL 173.
From east of US 45 to east of Crawford Road, the alternative consists of four 12’ lanes with a 30’
median on a shifted alignment and a 10’ shared use path on the south side of IL 173. Beginning near
the bridge and Ethel’s Woods Forest Preserve, the shared use path widens to 14’ to provide an
equestrian trail. The trail switches to the north side of IL 173 at the Gregory Drive intersection.
Beginning just east of Crawford Road, the alternative consists of four 12’ lanes with a 30’ median and a
14’ equestrian trail on the north side of IL 173. Beginning west of Pines Dunes forest Preserve, the trial
narrows down to a 10’ shared use path.
West of Hunt Club Road to west of I-94, the alternative consists of four 12’ lanes with an 18’ median on
the existing alignment and a 10’ shared use path on the north side of IL 173. The median widens to 30’
to fit into and avoid impacting the recently reconstructed bridge over I-94.
Alternative C2-3E
Alternative C2-3E is along the existing alignment from west of Redwing Parkway to east of US 45. Beginning
just east of US 45, the alignment shifts 27’ north from existing to utilize the existing bridge at North Mill Creek
as the future eastbound lanes of IL 173. Beginning east of Crawford Road, the alignment shifts 30’ south of
existing to avoid impacts to Pine Dunes Forest Preserve and reduce impacts to the wetlands. Alternative C23E consists of the same design features as in Alternative C2-3E.
Conclusion
The group recommended Alternative C2-3C as their Preferred Alternative for this section of the project
corridor. The alternative requires less ROW from the properties located along the south side of IL 173 and
east of Crawford Road.
Alternative C2-3E is not desirable as it was perceived by the group to take more ROW from the properties
located on the south side of IL 173 through this section of the project corridor.
Group 4: East Section - east of I-94 Interchange to 21st Street
Alternative E-1A
Alternative E-1A consists of four 12’ lanes with an 18’ median on the existing alignment and a 10’ shared use
path along the north side of IL 173. The median widens to 30’ to provide dual-left turn lanes at the US 41
intersection. In addition, the lanes are reduced to 11’ beginning east of the US 41 intersection.
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CAG/TAG Meeting #5
May 24, 2016
IL 59 to US41
Alternative E-1B
Alternative E-1B is along the existing alignment from east of the I-94 interchange to east of Mill Creek Road.
Beginning just east of Mill Creek Road, the alignment shifts 6’ south of existing to avoid impacts to the
tributary to the Des Plaines River and the suitable habitat of threatened and endangered species. This
alternative has similar design features as Alternative E-1A.
Conclusion
The group recommended Alternative E-1A as their Preferred Alternative for this section of the project
corridor. This alternative overall has lesser impacts to the various resources and existing buildings located
adjacent to IL 173.
Alternative E-1B is not desirable as it has greater impacts to the various resources and existing buildings
located adjacent to IL 173. It was noted by the project study team that this alternative protects the suitable
habitat for threatened and endangered species.
Based on the CAG/TAG member input the recommended Preferred Alternative will consist of the following
alternatives: W-1D, C1-4B, C2-3C and E-1A.
Other Input: During the course of the presentation, the CAG-TAG membership provided key input on a variety
of topics. That input is summarized below:
1. Members consider a raised median with trees and vegetation would be more aesthetically pleasing
than a ditch as currently shown in the typical section. In addition, they prefer a reduced speed limit
through this section of the project corridor.
2. Members noted that with the new toll booth there has been an increase in traffic running along Hunt
Club Road with many speeding through the area. Some members suggested moving the toll booth
north to reduce traffic on Hunt Club Road.
3. Concerns over the extent of proposed ROW as shown in the exhibits for the Central 2 and East Sections
of the project corridor.
4. Members felt that further analysis of the proposed ROW and access to the various properties along the
project corridor needs to be completed.
5. Access concerns at US 41 and IL 173.
6. Concerns over economic loss of gas station located at the SW corner of IL 173 and US 41.
7. Access concerns for school buses exiting the Antioch HS parking lot located north of IL 173.
8. Access concerns at the following 3 locations: 1) Pederson Drive (approximately 1130’ west of US45), 2)
approximately 930’ west of Gregory Drive, and 3) approximately 930’ east of Gregory Drive.
9. Members noted that foul balls from Antioch H.S baseball games may become a hazard for EB traffic
along IL 173.
www.IllinoisRoute173.com
CAG/TAG Meeting #5
May 24, 2016
IL 59 to US41
In Attendance:
Community Advisory Group (CAG)
Tyler Crittenden, Village of Wadsworth
Moses Amidei, Village of Wadsworth
David Telleen, Resident
Chuck Gleason, Lake County Division of Transportation
Jo Ann Osmond
Randy Seebach, Lake County Forest Preserve District
Kurt Woolford, Lake County SMC
Jim Keim, Village of Antioch
Steve Schoenfelder, ACHS
Technical Advisory Group (TAG)
Larry Leffingwell, OML
Curtis Smithson, Resident
Joe Wager,
Project Study Group
Steven Schilke, IDOT
Jessica Feliciano, IDOT
Jennifer Morales, IDOT
Osman Baker, IDOT
Bob Stern, exp U.S. Services, Inc.
Mark Dvorak, exp U.S. Services, Inc.
Alicia Garcia, exp U.S. Services, Inc.
Sandra Homola, exp U.S. Service, Inc.
Joseph Hoerner, Cotter Consulting
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