Village approves $20,000 design agreement for 85th Street left-turn improvements

The Village Board authorized engineering staff to contract design services for a twoway left-turn lane (a 'twiddle') on 85th Street between Old Green Bay Road and Cooper Road.

Engineering staff explained the corridor experiences frequent left-turn stopping that forces through traffic into the bike lane; the recommended modification provides a shared left-turn lane, dedicated left-turn pockets at key intersections, and painted or raised medians at intersections where possible while maintaining bike lanes. The design agreement with Ayers Associates is a $20,000 lump sum; staff estimated the total cost of design and construction at about $200,000 and stated funds are anticipated within the village’s 2025 paving program.

Staff said no right-of-way acquisition is required and the design will be implemented within existing pavement by removing parking lanes where needed. Trustees asked about accident statistics and outreach to adjacent property owners; staff said the department will send letters to residents along the corridor and conduct other public outreach. Trustees also discussed parking-lane removal and how the design compares with other local twiddle implementations.

Trustee (speaker 2) moved approval and the motion carried by voice vote. Construction is planned to be publicly bid in late spring 2025 with a goal of completing the work before the end of the year.

The approval authorizes completion of design and next steps for bidding; final construction will proceed subject to bidding, funding availability and any additional approvals.