Deerfield Gets 2014 Road Construction Reprieve

A major Deerfield Road construction project through Deerfield and Highland Park previously scheduled to start in March will not take place until 2015, according to Andrew Lichterman, assistant to Deerfield’s village manager.

The $13.5 million work being done as a cooperative effort between Deerfield, Highland Park and Lake County is being funded in part by a $9.1 federal grant. Highland Park is contributing $1.3 million and Deerfield $3.1 million. The rebuilding of infrastructure and roadway will extend from Ridge Road in Highland Park through the railroad viaduct in downtown Deerfield.

The major reason for the delay is obtaining the necessary rights of way for new sidewalks and traffic lights along the route, according to Lichterman.

“We’re working with the county to acquire the rights of way and it makes more sense to do the project in a single year,” Lichterman said. “In talking to the county rights of way are needed to install the traffic signals to obtain the federal funds.”

Some of the easements must be acquired by Deerfield and others by Lake County.

The work east of Rosemary Terrace in Deerfield to Ridge Road in Highland Park includes full reconstruction of the roadway, replacement of sewers and traffic signals. There will also be pavement patching, grinding, resurfacing and cosmetic work between the railroad underpass and Rosemary Terrace.

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