Illinois Department of Transportation supervisors overseeing construction on busy Illinois Highway 22 have a tough decision to make this week, and the only sure bet is that no one will be happy with the results.
IDOT must decide whether to close a portion of Illinois 22, just west of U.S. Highway 41, for a week or so next month to speed up construction, or to continue to work around traffic. Two lanes of traffic were still open on Monday.
If officials decide to keep the road open, it would mean reducing traffic to only one lane, shared by eastbound and westbound motorists, and extending construction delays.
Work began earlier this year. So far, crews have been able to work around traffic regulated by flagmen. But the pending installation of a new sewer line that crosses the highway will make at least a one-lane closure of the road necessary.
The highway is a major link between Highland Park and points west, and also provides commuters with easy access to the Tri-State Tollway.