Steve Sawa went to last week’s public hearing on the proposed $73 million project to widen U.S. Route 45 with the presumption it was unnecessary. But the Vernon Hills resident left with a different perspective.

“It’s inevitable,” Sawa said, adding that he also believes the project– proposed for  a densely populated section of Lake County– will improve safety overall.

More than 100 people attended the Illinois Department of Transportation hearing Feb. 7. The Route 45 project, which runs between Route 21 and Route 60,  would impact residents and businesses in Lincolnshire, Indian Creek, Mundelein, Long Grove, as well as areas of unincorporated Lake County.

The route is a popular alternative for motorists traveling west from the Lincolnshire area who want to avoid congestion on Route 60. IDOT has said the route’s current two-lane configuration is not sufficient to handle the current traffic volume.

Traffic counts conducted in 2009 indicate that 19,500 vehicles travel the middle of the corridor on an average day, while volume at the west end is 11,700 and 16,200 at the east end. That number can fluctuate significantly on different days and times and are worst during the afternoon rush hour, officials said.

A two-lane road typically handles 12,000-16,000 vehicles. By 2040, numbers on that Route 45 corridor are expected to range between 14,000 and 20,500 vehicles per day, according to IDOT.

While capacity is an issue on that stretch of Route 45, there are also safety concerns throughout the project corridor,” IDOT spokesman Guy Tridgell said in an email. Between 2007 and 2009 1,166 crashes occurred, including 290 injuries. The majority were rear-end, turning and sideswipe collisions.

Expected to take five years, the project is still in the planning stages, with no funding earmarked yet.

“We are doing the steps needed,” said John Baczek, Illinois Department of Transportation project and environmental studies section chief. “If funding comes available, we’re closer.”

Funding has been set aside this summer to develop preliminary engineering designs, Balczek said. Land acquisition could also start as early as this summer, but more likely would start later, he said.

The project would include rebuilding Route 45 to provide two lanes in each direction separated by a median. IDOT made some changes to the original proposal, including shifting the roadway to avoid a cemetery and adding a path to accommodate pedestrians and bicycles. The latter is with the understanding villages would have to contribute a portion of the cost.

Sawa appreciated the state compromising on some aspects of the project. But he is still concerned about the large volume of children who ride bicycles in the area.

“The only thing I would like to see is a slower speed limit,” Sawa said.

Other aspects of the project include additional turn lanes at intersections and a new bridge over Indian Creek. An underground sewer system will replace a series of culverts.

Tom O’Brien, who was at the  meeting representing Sarah’s Glen subdivision, said the current proposal provides better access to the subdivision,  located on Route 45 near Milwaukee Avenue.

“We think this plan is a little improvement,” O’Brien said.

But he added the  homeowners association is still has concerns, including how much land will be needed for the project. The homeowners also disagree with IDOT’s contention that traffic volumes do not warrant measures to reduce traffic noise, O’Brien said.

Elements such as landscaped berms to improve the appearances or walls to baffle the noise are needed, O’Brien said. “Right now, it’s already loud. That’s only going to get worse,” he said.

John Moye was pleased to the additional lanes would make it easier to turn left into the driveway of his house on Route 45 in Indian Creek. The only downside he pointed out is if the village fails to contribute its share of funding for a pedestrian path.

“I need a sidewalk,” Moye said.

 The Illinois Department of Transportation will continue to accept public comments through Feb. 24. Comments may be submitted by email to us45@transystems.com . Letter may be sent to Kimberly Murphy, Consultant Studies Unit Head, Illinois Department of Transportation Bureau of Programming, 201 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, Ill. 60196-1096.