Safety, truck traffic keys to BG Road widening opposition

 A scheduled meeting of the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee may shed light on the plans for the proposed widening of Buffalo Grove Road between Illinois Rt. 22 and U.S. Rt. 45.

Opponents of the project are hoping there will be revisions discussed at the Jan. 10 meeting that will show a scaling back of the plans for the project.

Key members of the opposition group cite safety, environmental impact and increased traffic, especially truck traffic, as their key concerns.

The project was unveiled at a May 24 public forum sponsored by the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) which, organizers say, drew around 100 people, which they say is more than most project-based forums. Since that time, they say more than 300 people have voiced opposition to the project, mostly through the group’s website that includes its 1,650 word “declaration”, basically a petition, that provides considerable discussion about their objections.

The declarations focus on three general areas: The lack of need for the expansion, new problems created by the widening and how the section of Buffalo Grove Road between state Route 22 and U.S. Route 45 differs from Buffalo Grove Road south of state Route 22 (Half Day Road).

Several residents who are spearheading the opposition claim communication, or lack of, has been a source of irritation for them. They say they first learned of the magnitude of the project at a public forum in May of 2023. “We were made aware in a general meeting,” Edward Kogan of Vernon Hills, says, “but at the public meeting we were all shocked.” He says prior to the May meeting, residents had submitted concerns about safety because they thought the project focused on safety concerns and a major reconstruction of the roadway.

County officials, however, say the project is listed in Lake County’s 2040 transportation plan that was published in 2014. The plan, says Matt Emde, principal engineer and project manager for the Lake County Division of Transportation, recommends improvements necessary to address the future transportation needs of Lake County including roadway, transit, and non-motorized modes of travel.

“This section of Buffalo Grove Road was built in stages over nearly 20 years, with the first project taking place in the late 1980s. The road was designed and constructed to accommodate future road expansion as the area developed and traffic grew,” he noted in an email to BGNI. “This included the infrastructure, such as sidewalks, stormwater detention, and the right-of-way that were placed to accommodate a future multi-lane roadway.” A full description of the project is available here.

The group says the section between state Route 22 and U.S. Route 45 differs because of the easements and the fact that the section is more developed than portions south of state Route 22. Members of the group say they have been in contact with the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee and have been told that additional studies are being done on the plan for the project. “We’re trying to stop the plan before it gets to the (Lake County) Board,” Kogan says.

According to Buffalo Grove Village Manager, Dane Bragg, the project is a joint effort. “Under the terms of the 1995 intergovernmental agreement, Lake County and the Village prioritized the widening and improvement of Deerfield Parkway, Weiland Road and Buffalo Grove Road to complete the county highway system. Lake County is the lead agency and the right-of-way is under the jurisdiction of the county.”

Emde notes that Lake County has been coordinating closely with the villages of Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills since our Phase 1 study began in 2020. “We coordinate with local jurisdictions for all our projects and is a needed practice because our roads often cross and intersect municipal, township, or state roads. In addition to coordinating on project details, we work with our local partners to help get the word out about public information meetings and events.”

Bragg adds that “while it has been implied that the project is going forward as presented, no design concepts have been accepted or approved by the (Lake) County or communities (Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills). The village continues to work with LCDOT on areas of concern (pedestrian safety, noise impacts, stormwater management) as LCDOT enters the design phase.” Bragg recently noted that the village has not seen revised plans for the project.

A major source of angst for the opposition is the possibility of an increase in truck traffic along Buffalo Grove Road north of Half Day Road. Buffalo Grove resident Bill Bremer says it’s especially difficult at the intersection of Half day and Buffalo Grove roads between 4:30 and 6 p.m. He is especially concerned not only about the volume of trucks, but the size as well.

Many of the trucks, he says, will be up to 80,000 pounds and could potentially carry hazardous materials. That prospect has raised concerns about the response of area fire departments, including Buffalo Grove.

Buffalo Grove officials, however, are adamant and confident that the village has the resources and training to handle hazardous material situations.

According to Buffalo Grove Deputy Public Works Director and Village Engineer, Kyle Johnson, “The Buffalo Grove Fire Department has members trained to the Hazardous Materials Technician Level.” Johnson adds that these members receive 136 hours of initial hazardous materials level training enabling them to respond to and handle HazMat incidents.

Additionally, Johnson says they receive a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education each year and must meet HazMat team and recertification requirements yearly from the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

Johnson notes too that the BGFD is part of a “robust mutual aid network with agreements in place to operate as a part of, and receive help from, area hazardous materials teams. If an incident cannot be handled with BGFD personnel and equipment, these teams are available to respond and assist.”

The village is also the site of the Combined Area Fire Training Facility, which has more than 3,000 square feet of training space on the 4 ½-acre site. In addition to Buffalo Grove, the facility serves Deerfield, Bannockburn, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Long Grove and Wheeling.

Trucks weighing up to 80,000 pounds can access any village roadway according to Johnson. Those that eclipse that limit need a special permit. Counties can, however, designate truck routes. Johnson says state Routes 83, 21 and 68 are designated truck routes, but do not have any weight limits. Small sections of Aptakisic Road and Deerfield Parkway have limited restrictions that are established by the state, but still allow 80,000 pounds depending on the number of axles. A guide to Lake County’s “road classifications” is available here.

The Buffalo Grove Police works with the state in monitoring truck weight and will do random checks on state roadways, such as portions of state Route 83 that are within the village.

The potential for increased truck traffic will, opponents say, result in excessive noise and damage the structures that abut the roadway. Johnson says he is not aware of any complaints from residents who currently live along Buffalo Grove Road.

Opponents say they understand the need for improving safety along Buffalo Grove Road, just not to the extent that’s being proposed. They say a reallocation of the funds for other Lake County programs make more sense than using the money expanding Buffalo Grove Road.

“The village is responsible for its portion of the improvement costs for items such as street lighting, sidewalks, median landscaping, etc., Bragg says. “The village does not pay for any share of the roadway improvement. The project is funded primarily through county road funds, no federal funds are designated for this project.”

Among the safety issues raised by opponents is access to the road if it is widened from its current configuration to four lanes. “It will be a real challenge for us to get out of our neighborhoods,” Wayne Kowalski says, citing limited visibility on the roadway’s curves.

There is concern that a four-lane roadway would include narrower lanes. “Currently the plan is to reduce the lane widths from 12 feet down to 11 feet,” Emde notes, adding that the lane width is what was done on the recently completed section between state Route 22 and Deerfield Parkway. This helps provide the 2-foot bike friendly shoulder and also reduces right of way needs through the corridor.” Emde says that concerns that 10-foot lanes are being proposed for the Buffalo Grove Road project are unfounded and that he has never seen the county go down to 10-foot lanes on any of the county roads.”

According to the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee, the Jan. 10 meeting can be accessed at this link.