Improvements to Stearns School Road intersection celebrated; ‘Really highlights just how important this project is'
Jennifer Clark, chair of the Lake County Public Works and Transportation committee, said the $6 million project highlights how an intersection improvement can make a 'major' upgrade to safety and traffic flow for drivers.
'This is the first time we've held a celebration for an intersection improvement like this, and I think that really highlights just how important this project is, not only for this community, but for the future of our transportation system,' Clark said during a celebration of the project's completion.
While such improvements 'may not always make the biggest headlines,' they will make 'a real and lasting difference' for residents.
Kevin Carrier, assistant county engineer overseeing the capital projects team, said the project was to improve the safety of the Warren Township intersection. The improvements will allow 'safer and smoother' driving for motorists through one of the area's busiest intersections, a county news release said.
Changes include the addition of new right- and left-turn lanes on southbound U.S. 41, a second left-turn on northbound U.S. 41, a second right-turn lane on eastbound Stearns School Road and a new westbound receiving lane on Stearns.
Left-turn signals now have a 'green-arrow only' phase, the release said, which has been shown to reduce left-turn crashes 'by 99%.'
In addition to the traffic improvements, the culvert under Stearns School Road was extended, and the storm sewer along US 41 was reconstructed to fit the new road design.
The release said the project was a partnership between the Lake County Division of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation, with LCDOT leading the engineering and land acquisition phases while IDOT managed construction using federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funding.
According to Carrier, the project had a benefit-cost ratio of nearly 6 to 1. The release said that was calculated using state and federal guidelines, and is required when applying for federal funding. For reference, the release said, projects with a ratio above 1 to 1 are eligible for federal safety funding.
Clark noted how it and other projects around the county, including a train track underpass and new sidewalk and bike paths, help better connect Lake County.
According to Clark, in 2025, 64% of the county's projects, representing $75 million of a total $117 million construction program, are focused on modernization improvements. She said these projects are designed to increase safety, reduce delays, close 'sidewalk and bike path gaps,' and cut down on carbon dioxide emissions.
This year, there will be another busy construction season in Lake County, officials said, including reconstruction and resurfacing work across the county, and new roundabouts being installed at key intersections. Numerous projects include the inclusion of shared-use paths.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
03-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
DURHAM DAY TRIP: Here's your guide to exploring the rich history of Oshawa
With modern issues dominating headlines, it's easy to forget the rich history of the City of Oshawa. Birthplace of Canada's automotive industry, Oshawa is the largest municipality in Durham Region and is home to many museums and historical sites, making it the perfect destination for a historical day trip. Clark and Chase Wight get up close and personal with Disney's Lightning McQueen at the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa. 1. Canadian Automotive Museum 99 Simcoe St. S. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located in downtown Oshawa, the Canadian Automotive Museum opened in 1962 and continues to enthrall visitors with its detailed history of the automotive industry in Canada, from the end of horse-drawn carriages to present times, and its unique exhibits, including Disney Cars' Lightning McQueen and a 1983 Delorean made famous in the Back to the Future film series. A 1983 Delorean is a fan favourite among the many vehicles displayed at Oshawa's Canadian Automotive Museum. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. 2. Robert McLaughlin Gallery 72 Queen St. , in the Oshawa Civic Centre Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Another automotive association, the famed Robert McLaughlin Gallery is named after the founder of the McLaughlin Carriage Company, precursor to General Motors, and is renowned for its extensive collection of Canadian art. Current exhibits include a retrospective of Painters Eleven, Ontario's first abstract artists collective. Visit Oshawa's Robert McLaughlin Gallery and immerse yourself in Canadian art. Brush up on military history at the Canadian Tank Museum in Oshawa while viewing some of its more than 140 military vehicles. 3. Canadian Tank Museum 1000 Stevenson Rd. N. Open daily from noon to 4 p.m. through the summer Immerse yourself in the rich military history of The Ontario Regiment artifacts exhibit and get a glimpse of more than 140 operational, historic military vehicles spanning the time period from the First World War to the Afghanistan conflict. An accredited Canadian Armed Forces Museum, the facility is run with the help of more than 200 volunteer members. The Canadian Tank Museum and Ontario Regiment Museum in Oshawa features military vehicles from its collection of more than 140 operational tanks and vehicles. 4. Parkwood Estates 270 Simcoe St. N. Tea House Restaurant open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gift shop open daily 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For guided tours/events, visit Enjoy tea al fresco at Parkwood Estate's Tea House Restaurant, open May through September. Step back in time at the Parkwood National Historic Site, one of Canada's last remaining grand estates. The former home of Canadian auto baron R.S. (Colonel Sam) McLaughlin, founder of General Motors of Canada, the estate offers historic tours, workshops, tea at its outdoor café and more. Take a step back in time with tours of the historic Parkwood National Historic Site in Oshawa. A popular film spot, visitors can also spy familiar set locations from film favourites such as 'Billy Madison,' 'X-Men' and others. Take a step back in time with guided tours of Parkwood Estate, the former home of General Motors founder R.S. McLaughlin and film site for many popular movies and television shows. The Oshawa Museum at Oshawa's scenic Lakeview Park. 5. Oshawa Museum 1450 Simcoe St. S. For hours/tours, visit Located within Oshawa's scenic Lakeview Park, the Oshawa Museum is the perfect last stop. Find out about the less-known history of Oshawa with current exhibit 'Untold Oshawa,' which focuses on stories not previously published in any historical books or works. Open year-round for tours, the museum also offers Tea & Talk events and more. After visiting, enjoy a stroll along Oshawa's scenic lakeshore or a relaxing afternoon at the beach. Meticulously researched and written in an engaging, accessible style, 'Untold Oshawa' shines a spotlight on the tapestry of experiences that have shaped the city.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Newsweek
New Bill Would Change Driver's License Renewal Requirement for Some Seniors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been sent a bill that would change driver's license renewal requirements for senior citizens in the state. Newsweek reached out to Pritzker's office for comment via email. Why It Matters The proposed law would increase the age at which senior drivers must take a behind-the-wheel driving test to retain their license, from 79 to 87. There are more than 1.2 million drivers aged 65 or older in Illinois who the bill would impact if it becomes law, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. What to Know The bill passed both houses of Illinois' legislature in May, and it was sent to Pritzker's desk for a signature on June 20. The governor has not indicated whether he plans to support the bill. It passed with bipartisan support. The office of Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias told Newsweek in a statement that the bill would align Illinois' driving standards with those of the rest of the nation. Under the bill, drivers 87 and older would be required to take annual driving tests. Immediate family members would also be able to report concerns about their driving ability, which could potentially result in the loss of driving privileges. Current law allows medical personnel, attorneys and police to file these reports. The name of the individual submitting the report would be kept confidential, according to the bill's text. Stock image of an older man driving a car. Stock image of an older man driving a car. dusanpetkovic/iStock via Getty Images State Representative Jay Hoffman, a Democrat who introduced the bill, told Newsweek that testing seniors at 79 doesn't help improve road safety. "The numbers are clear: testing at that age doesn't create any practical contribution to traffic safety, just unnecessary stress for older Illinoisans," he said. "I was happy to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring Illinois in-line with neighboring states by making a change we all agreed should be a priority." Giannoulias has supported the bill, which passed the state Senate unanimously. "My top priority as Secretary of State is keeping Illinois roads safe. Allowing immediate relatives to notify my office of concerns about their loved one's driving ability helps make driving safer for everyone," he said in a statement provided to Newsweek. He noted that Illinois statistics show that senior drivers are "the safest of any age category." "This legislation will remove unnecessary burdens placed on them and align our testing standards with the rest of the nation," he said. What People Are Saying State Senator Ram Villivalam, a Democrat, told Capitol News Illinois: "I think about my mom. I don't think my mom would admit she's a senior, but she is someone that is very much a safe driver. I can't think of someone that I know that's a safer legislation is removing this archaic requirement and doing so in a very balanced way." AARP urged lawmakers to support the bill in a press release earlier this year: "AARP members have asked our team for years why Illinois is the ONLY state in the nation that still uses age as a factor to require people to retake their driving test. Our members believe the policy to be discriminatory. The right to drive should be based on ability and not age." What Happens Next If the bill is signed into law, it would take effect on July 1, 2026.
Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago closes streets early to fix buckling pavement ahead of NASCAR race
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is still more than a week away, but Mother Nature is already burning up the track. The heat dome that descended on Chicago last weekend with unrelenting 100-degree temperatures caused buckling pavement on stretches of the pop-up race course, forcing the city to close some streets ahead of schedule to repair the damage. On Wednesday evening, the city shut down Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue, which was originally scheduled to close Friday. It also closed Columbus from Jackson Drive to Roosevelt Road – five days ahead of schedule – to allow work crews to repair another pavement buckle. The rest of the course is 'holding up fine' and the street closings ahead of the July Fourth weekend race event will remain on schedule, a NASCAR spokesperson said Thursday. Chicago is not alone in navigating this summer's new road hazard. The oppressive heat and humidity, which have brought triple-digit temperatures across the Midwest and East Coast in recent weeks, have caused the pavement to buckle on roads in a number of states. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, for example, reported 50 pavement buckles on highways across the state last weekend. Likewise, the Illinois Department of Transportation posted an online warning Monday to 'be on the lookout for pavement failures' on roads through the state because of the prolonged high temperatures. Meanwhile, a video of a car going airborne in an Evel Knievel-jump over a heat-induced pavement buckle in Missouri went viral this week. That is certainly something NASCAR wants to avoid when its 200-mph race cars hit Chicago streets next week. Chicago is set to host the third annual street race July 5-6 on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course through Grant Park, down DuSable Lake Shore Drive and up Michigan Avenue. This year, NASCAR has streamlined the buildout and reduced major street closings to 18 days, starting with the shutdown last week of Balbo from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. All streets are scheduled to be reopened by July 14. The July Fourth weekend event includes an Xfinity Series race on Saturday and a Cup Series race on Sunday, both of which will put Chicago on the national TV stage. This year, the Xfinity Series Loop 110, which features mostly younger up-and-coming NASCAR drivers, will be broadcast Saturday, July 5 on the CW Network and local affiliate WGN-TV. The Grant Park 165 main event will air Sunday, July 6 on cable channel TNT. In 2023, the inaugural Fourth of July weekend event navigated Canadian wildfire haze and record rainfall that curtailed races, canceled concerts and left fans soaked. While clear skies prevailed for last year's Xfinity Series race, the Cup Series race was once again shortened when rain delays forced officials to call the race after 58 laps as darkness fell on the unlit street course. What role the weather plays in this year's race, besides the heat-buckling pavement, remains to be seen. July Fourth weekend forecasts call for a high temperature of 80 degrees and, of course, scattered thunderstorms on Saturday. rchannick@
