Study

The original scope of the project was to examine the feasibility of a bypass of the Millburn Historic District to improve traffic flow along US 45 through the area. However, in order to meet the Logical Termini requirements of the Bureau of Design Environment (BDE), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicated to IDOT that the US 45 project study area must extend beyond the Millburn Historic District to IL 132 to the south and IL 173 to the north.

The proposed scope of work for this project is to reconstruct the two-lane roadway corridor to provide the following:

• Two through lanes in each direction separated by a grass and/or barrier curbed median,
• A bypass of the Millburn Historic District on the western side with a realigned Grass Lake Road,
• A slight alignment shift to the west of the northern and southern sections of US 45 to minimize impacts to the forest preserve and nearby property owners,
• The addition of auxiliary turn lanes at intersections throughout,
• Accommodations for sidewalk and shared-use path to support pedestrian and bicyclists,
• Inclusion of water quality features, such as, bioswales and/or native plantings and ditch modifications, which, provide filtration for improved water quality.

The construction of the proposed improvement is expected to last one to two construction seasons.  No detours will be necessary.  One lane in each direction with temporary access to all commercial and residential land uses will be maintained during construction.  In order to build this improvement, IDOT will require the acquisition of approximately 74.2 acres of fee simple acquisition and 1.31 acres of temporary construction easements for the reconstruction of driveways, sidewalk removal & replacement, and drainage improvements.  Three residential buildings and no businesses will be acquired as part of the improvement. There will be no significant environmental impacts as part of this construction process and acquisitions.

Due to funding constraints, the project had to be split into three separate sections so that they could be funded individually for Phase II engineering as funds became available. The project was split into the South Section, the Millburn Bypass (middle) section, and the North Section. The South Section runs from Country Place to IL 132, the Millburn Bypass runs from Independence Boulevard to Country Place, and the North Section runs from the intersection of IL 173 to Independence Boulevard. Currently, only the Millburn Bypass and the South Section have secured Phase II funding in the Department’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2025 proposed highway improvement program.

Phase I

• Transportation purpose and needs are identified
• Design alternatives evaluated
• Preferred plan selected
• Right-of-Way (ROW) needs identified
• Cost Estimate $78.03 million
• Public Hearing held on 3/21/2013
• Environmental Assessment approved 2/28/2013
• Finding of No Significant Impacts 9/9/2013
• Project Approval received 09/19/2018 for the south section, 7/19/2019 for the north section, and 12/18/2013 for the Milburn Bypass section

Phase II

• Detailed Design & Contract Plans and
• ROW Acquisition (18-24 months)
• Millburn Bypass is currently in Phase II
• South Section (IL 132 to Country Place) is funded for Phase II

Phase III

• Construction Begins

An Environmental Assessment was completed for the project on February 28th of 2013 and a Finding of No Significant Impacts was received from Federal Highway Authority on September 9th of 2013.

Contact person:
Corey J. Smith Project Manager
847-705-4103
Corey.Smith@illinois.gov