'Huge improvement': Underpass construction in southern Lake County set to begin in 2029
‘Huge improvement’: Underpass construction in southern Lake County set to begin in 2029
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Transportation
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Construction of an underpass expected to be among the largest projects ever undertaken by the Lake County Division of Transportation could begin in 2029.
The Lake County Board appropriated $7.6 million on October 13, 2026, to acquire right-of-way and cover other costs associated with road and pedestrian path improvements along Old McHenry Road from Fairfield Road to Forest Drive.
This is a crucial step in a yearslong process to alleviate traffic congestion in the Hawthorn Woods/Lake Zurich/Kildeer area.
Due to its scale, the Old McHenry Crossings project—estimated to cost $150 million—is being broken down into three separate contracts. The main component is a tunnel that will take Old McHenry Road beneath the Canadian National railroad crossing near Hawthorn Woods.
Nearly 30,000 vehicles daily traverse this corridor, where four highly traveled regional highways—Fairfield, Midlothian, and Quentin roads—converge.
Besides the underpass, the project will include:
- Intersection improvements at Fairfield and Midlothian roads
- Lane additions on Quentin Road
- Nonmotorized improvements throughout the project area