Railroad crossing, bridge replacement will slow down Libertyville-area drivers
Pending projects at separate locations in the Libertyville area will affect motorists to varying degrees for the short and long term starting July 8.
Repairs to the deteriorated Metra rail crossing on Milwaukee Avenue just north of Lake Street in downtown Libertyville is expected to last 10 days and be a big headache for travelers.
To the east, replacing the 56-year-old Oak Spring Road bridge over the Des Plaines River in Libertyville Township will affect far fewer drivers. But the road as well as a trail spur, canoe launch and parking lot will be closed for the duration of the work expected to be complete in summer 2025.
The rail crossing closure is being coordinated by Metra and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Traffic will be detoured via Route 176, Butterfield and Winchester roads.
Milwaukee Avenue at that point carries about 24,100 vehicles daily so the closure and detour will strain adjacent roads, said Paul Kendzior, Libertyville public works director.
The crossing was repaired and redone several years ago but it has become rough again, notably heading south due to vehicles stopping for a pedestrian crossing, railroad gates or traffic light at Lake Street, he added.
The Milwaukee Avenue rail repair is one of 35 sites to be rebuilt as part of Metra’s $332.4 million construction program and includes Hazel Street in Deerfield on the Milwaukee District North line.
Replacing the Oak Spring Road bridge has been planned for several years.
Attendees of a public meeting in 2016 were told that despite regular maintenance, the bridge continued to deteriorate and though safe to travel, replacing it was the next appropriate step.
“I’ve been working on this for nine years,” said Marty Neal, Libertyville Township highway commissioner. “It’s finally come to fruition.”
The $4.7 million project is more than double the original estimate. Federal funding will cover 80% of the cost and Lake County’s bridge fund will cover 80% of the difference, Neal said.
The new bridge will provide a 12-foot travel lane in each direction plus a 3-foot shoulder and 8-foot sidewalk on either side.
About 3,200 vehicles a day cross the bridge. The detour route will use Second Street, Church Street, Fourth Avenue, Route 176 and St. Mary’s Road.
According to the project website, it is anticipated that Lake Minear parking, Des Plaines River Trail and all residential driveways and streets will be accessible throughout the project.