Deerfield Road Pedestrian Underpass

(Updated 9-20-2011)
Project Status: COMPLETED

Project Start: January 4, 2011 
Project Completed: Fall 2011

This project was substantially funded through outside grants. Both the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program awarded funds, for a maximum outside funding amount of $2,500,000. This will cover 80% of the cost of design, construction, and construction engineering. The Village provides the “local match” to the federal funds of 20%, or approximately $650,000.

The project will provide safe passage for pedestrians wishing to walk/ride along Deerfield Road and under the Metra Railway via a pedestrian underpass. The new underpass will not only provide safer access to the Deerfield train station platform, but also serves as a link for cyclists and pedestrians between Highland Park and Riverwoods. The Deerfield Road Sidewalk Improvement and Pedestrian Underpass is an important addition to the multi-use pedestrian network in Lake County. The Deerfield Road corridor has been identified by the Northwest Municipal Conference as an important east-west connection in Lake County.

Herlihy Mid-Continent Company will construct a 10’ wide by 9’ high underpass on the south side of Deerfield Road beneath the Metra railroad line. Work of this magnitude requires significantly large equipment and accompanying manpower. As a result, full closure of Deerfield Road within the construction limits will be required at times during the months of February and March. Though the full closures will not be in place for the entire duration of the five month project, there will be lane closures and other construction activity that will cause significant delays.

This project will have a positive impact on pedestrian access in the region. If you have any questions or need additional information on this project, please contact Assistant Village Engineer, Robert Phillips, at 847.317.2490 or e-mail  rphillips@deerfield.il.us .

Please see the attached rendering of the proposed improvement below.