Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cook County updates Old Orchard, Church, Oakton and Crawford projects; village outlines lead service‑line replacement approach
Summary
Cook County presented timelines for major roadway projects in Skokie and village officials said lead service‑line replacements will occur where water mains are replaced, with an inventory estimating roughly 10,000 lead service lines.
Cook County Department of Transportation representatives and village staff briefed the Skokie Village Board on Aug. 18 about ongoing and upcoming road and utility projects, and village officials described a strategy to replace lead water service lines in coordination with water main work.
Nathan Roseberry, assistant superintendent for Cook County DOT, said the Old Orchard Road project (Woods Drive to Skokie Boulevard) began construction in 2024 and will proceed into next year to complete a bridge replacement, multi‑use path, storm sewer upgrades and road reconstruction. County staff said they expect to open the eastbound Old Orchard exit ramp from I‑94 later in the month.
A resurfacing package that includes Church Street (Linder Avenue to Grosse Pointe) was approved by the Cook County Board in July; Roseberry said county contractors are under contract with milestones aimed at completing Church Street work by the end of 2025 to coordinate with village efforts. Oakton Street (Skokie Boulevard to McCormick) is in design, with county staff preparing plans, specifications and estimates expected this fall and a bid package anticipated this winter; construction would be part of a package slated for 2026.
Crawford Avenue (Oakton to Golf) is in detailed design and environmental review; phase 1 approvals were obtained to make the project eligible for federal funds. Roseberry said Crawford will include full roadway reconstruction, utility upgrades, lighting, buffered on‑street bike lanes, curb extensions, pedestrian refuges and may require limited right‑of‑way or temporary easements. He estimated Crawford construction would start in 2027 and likely take two years.
On a specific safety question, a trustee who represents District 3 asked whether a traffic signal is warranted at Keeler and Oakton. Roseberry said a traffic‑signal warrant study following national guidance found a signal was not warranted; county staff instead plan curb extensions and a rectangular rapid‑flash beacon (RRFB) pedestrian device and will coordinate with the village on other treatments.
Village staff answered questions about lead service lines during the public‑comment period. The village has completed an inventory and estimates there are over 10,000 lead service lines. Public Works staff said state and federal guidance requires replacement of service lines when water mains are replaced; the village plans to prioritize replacements tied to water‑main projects and expects to complete roughly 600 replacements per year as capacity allows. Village officials said they are also exploring additional funding sources and may offer a separate pool of funds to assist residents not on immediate construction routes.
