Route 83 construction gets mixed reaction from business owners

Aging, narrow and traffic-clogged roads aren't good for business, but neither is a major road construction project that promises dust, delays and disruption.

As the much anticipated Route 83 project in Lake Villa and Antioch is set to begin, business owners along the busy road say they welcome the improvements, but dread its short-term impact to their commerce.

"It's going to be rough," said Randy Hautzinger, co-owner of Floral Acres near Antioch. "Spring is our busy season too."

The nearly $20 million project calls for widening the road, adding a median and turn lanes, resurfacing, new sidewalks, improving drainage and modernizing traffic signals along the 4.6-mile route from Petite Lake Road in Lake Villa through Antioch to the Wisconsin state line. Preliminary work began last year. The major work is set to start in the next week, according to Matt Hubbard, of Lake County Grading, the project's general contractor.

Hautzinger's family has been in business since 1957 and has weathered tough times in those years. He's confident it will endure this ordeal, but said the dump trucks, backhoes and pavers will make it hard for customers to pull in. He said a drop-off in business is inevitable.

"It's happening at the worst time for us," Hautzinger said. "We have loyal customers but we're already hearing complaints about the condition of the driveway."

Floral Acres co-owner Lori DuPont said the business is going to look bad.

"All the construction equipment makes the place look uninviting," she said. "People don't want to stop at unattractive businesses."

Storm sewers will be installed first, Hubbard said. That work will take about a month. After that, crews will grind down the road surface and resurface it among the other improvements. More than 12,000 vehicles travel the road per day. The project should be completed by fall, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Greg Gugel, who owns Antioch Small Engine Sales and Service on the west side of the road, said he welcomes the improvements but thinks the new turn lanes are going to complicate things.

"The way they are setting this up is going to make it almost impossible for customers to pull out of my parking lot," Gugel said. "Yes, the surface will be better and wider but the configuration is dangerous."

His bottom line is sure to take a temporary hit, but Gugel said he'll get creative.

"We'll adapt," he said. "We'll do more drop-offs and pickups of repaired equipment so customers don't have to deal with the construction mess. Does the road need the work? Yes. Is this the best plan? No."

At least one merchant said it's about time for the road to be repaired.

"This is long overdue," said Bob Hawkins, who owns Patricia's Giftware and Amish Furniture store near Antioch. "This is something we've needed for years. We absolutely welcome the improvements."