Antioch bracing for road construction on North Avenue

Ernie Bruett likes peace and quiet, but hopes the impending closure of North Avenue in Antioch doesn't leave his business too peaceful or too quiet.

"We knew this was coming and know it has to be done, but we just aren't' sure what the impact will be," Bruett said. "They've promised to keep open access for customers coming into our place. We're hoping that happens."

Bruett owns High Perfomance Racing, and the motorcycle, snowmobile and personal watercraft repair business faces challenges as the street will be shut down during planned roadwork.

Beginning April 1, North Avenue will be closed for nearly eight months as crews complete a $4.5 million widening and reconstruction project.

The street will be shut down from the Canadian National railroad tracks to Deep Lake Road. The road will reopen Oct. 15, Lake County Department of Transportation officials say. A detour route will use Route 83 south to Route 173 and then north on Deep Lake Road.

This comes at a time when major work is happening on Route 83 through Lake Villa and Antioch, complicating travel in the area.

That $20 million project calls for widening the road, adding a median and turn lanes along the 4.6-mile route from Petite Lake Road in Lake Villa through Antioch to the Wisconsin state line.

North Avenue is dominated by homes, and officials say driveway access will be maintained but traffic will not be allowed through the work zone.

In addition to widening, the North Avenue project includes new curbs, gutters, storm sewers, landscaping and pedestrian improvements.

The upgrades are welcome news for business owner Caren Horton, who owns Groomingdale's pet salon on North Avenue just east of Route 83.

"This road really needed to be resurfaced," she said. "It is definitely overdue."

That said, Horton hopes construction engineers allow access to her shop so customers aren't annoyed.

"It will be inconvenient for awhile, but I think we'll do OK," she said. "At least I hope so."