The reconstruction of Audrey Nixon Boulevard significantly enhances community safety and mobility in North Chicago and Waukegan, Illinois. By transforming the existing four-lane roadway into a two-lane roadway with a dual center turn lane, the project promotes safer vehicular movement while accommodating pedestrians and cyclists with new sidewalks, bike paths, landscaping and signalized crosswalks. A key feature of this project is the creation of a roundabout at Dugdale Road, which improves traffic flow by allowing for seamless turning movements. This improvement fosters increased recreational opportunities by facilitating a continuous trail connection between the Greenbelt Forest Preserve and the Robert McClory Bike Path.
On behalf of the Lake County Division of Transportation, STV played a vital role, providing construction engineering services for a 1.38-mile section of the project. Key contributions included full-depth roadway reconstruction, the installation of the roundabout at Dugdale Road and modernizing traffic signals at critical intersections.
Additionally, STV developed a relocation matrix to help coordinate the relocation of multiple utility lines. This matrix prioritized work areas, enabling timely progress. Effective daily communication with utility companies and prompt decision-making allowed STV to address issues, such as overhead power lines impacting construction, so that the project was completed on schedule and bolstered the community’s infrastructure.
