Lake Forest council approves joint funding agreement for Waukegan & Everett right‑of‑way; local match estimated at roughly $218,000

The Lake Forest City Council voted Feb. 17 to approve a joint funding agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation to acquire right‑of‑way for improvements to the Waukegan and Everett intersection.

Byron Coutts, Superintendent of Engineering, said the project reconceptualizes the intersection to add dedicated right‑turn lanes, lengthen left‑turn lanes, add curb and gutter near the railroad tracks to prevent vehicles from going around gates, and requires both permanent right‑of‑way and temporary easements. He told the council the right‑of‑way acquisitions are linked to federal grants and that the joint funding agreement must be signed before acquisition work can begin.

Coutts said estimated land acquisition costs are about $1,000,000, with a city local match of about $218,000. (The meeting agenda earlier referenced a $218,860 figure; Coutts noted the match estimate could change after appraisals and negotiations.) He said the city’s match becomes available May 1 and that bidding with the state is planned for January 2028, with construction in spring–fall 2028.

Council members asked whether a proposed median or curb might impede fire and emergency vehicles; Coutts said design review uses vehicle‑turning simulations (“auto turn”) and that IDOT’s geometry unit and intersection design study will review the plans.

The motion to approve the joint funding agreement was moved and seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote, 7–0.

Why it matters: the improvements aim to reduce congestion near schools and around train tracks and to enhance safety at a frequently congested intersection. The right‑of‑way component requires property negotiations and local matching funds, and schedule and cost estimates may change after appraisals and grant administration.