The Public Investigator

NEWS ALERT: After a years-long planning process, local consensus has been reached on the transformation of Illinois Route 120 into the beltway arterial of Lake County’s road system.

Why this news is important to you: The Route 120 project could be the largest public works project by the state in Lake County, with the potential to alleviate east-west gridlock and enhance economic development throughout the county.

Subscribers can read The Public Investigator’s news report for an overview of the project and how much the federal government is kicking back to begin the design phase.

NEWS ALERT: Preliminary construction work has begun on Sheridan Road in preparation of an active Illinois Department of Transportation construction project to get under way next spring.

Why this news is important to you: Sheridan Road is the primary arterial of economic development in northeastern Lake County, along with the easternmost thoroughfare of vehicle transportation along the North Shore.

Subscribers can read The Public Investigator’s news report to find out what communities will be affected when a 6.52-mile segment of Sheridan Road gets resurfaced during the first half of 2010.

NEWS ALERT: Reconstruction and widening of North Avenue will improve traffic for motorists in the Antioch area.

Why this news is important to you: 1. This road project that is planned to alleviate congestion is an example of your tax dollars at work. 2. Motorists traveling in the Antioch area need to be informed to use alternative routes.

Subscribers can read The Public Investigator’s news report to find out how many of their tax dollars will be spent on this project, the scope of the project, and when motorists would be well-advised to take another route around the construction.

NEWS ALERT: Lake County has commissioned Christopher B. Burke Engineering of Rosemont, Ill., to design a project to add a center turn lane on Wadsworth Road through Wadsworth. Subscribers can read on to get specifications and details of the project and find out how much the project’s engineering will cost.

Why this news is important to you: Wadsworth Road is one of only two connector arterials for residents of northeastern Lake County to access U.S. Route 41 and is the only access road for a local school, post office, some small businesses and a feeder road to residential areas. All phases of the reconstruction project will likely be more expensive because of the scarce right of way along the segment.

ROAD WORK ALERT: Following a season of abnormal weather that caused an unusually high number of potholes, Lake County will pay nearly $906,000 for hot-mix asphalt removal and pavement resurfacing on several county roads. Read on to see if any of your nearby roads are on the repair list.

 NEWS ALERT: Lake County committed spending $5.5 million for two transportation projects on March 17. Find out what projects got the green light.