North Main Street at IL 176

City of Crystal Lake

OBJECTIVE

The intersection of North Main Street and IL Route 176 was experiencing congestion due to a lack of traffic signals. The City of Crystal Lake retained Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) to provide preliminary engineering services for developing intersection improvements, pedestrian accommodations, and other upgrades aimed at updating the City's historic downtown district.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Main Street serves as a gateway to the City's downtown, but it lacks visual appeal for both vehicles and pedestrians. The pavement on Main Street is deteriorating and requires reconstruction. HLR conducted a Phase I study of the intersection of North Main Street and IL Route 176 to enhance safety and increase capacity. The project includes resurfacing Main Street from the Union Pacific railroad to Prairie Street and rehabilitating Main Street from Prairie Street to IL Route 176. It involves the addition of turn lane channelization and new traffic signals at the Main Street/IL Route 176 intersection. Additionally, sidewalks are being added in areas lacking them, and all sidewalk ramps within the project limits are being upgraded to meet current ADA/PROWAG standards if found to be noncompliant. The design of Main Street in the reconstruction section aims to maintain the existing roadway's character while minimizing impacts on mature parkway trees.

A pedestrian study was conducted for the downtown portion of Main Street in Crystal Lake, addressing safety concerns for both pedestrians and motorists. HLR's task was to create centralized crossings that are convenient for pedestrians and highly visible to drivers. The proposal includes curb bump-outs to improve visibility and the use of brick pavers in the crossings to clearly indicate crosswalks to drivers. Revisions to parking in downtown were designed to improve sightline conditions for vehicles accessing Main Street.

Scope of Work:

• Topographic survey
• Intersection design and geometric studies
• Location drainage study
• Environmental coordination, including coordination with IDOT and SHPO, due to potential historic properties within the corridor
• Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment completed for the local portion of the project (Main Street), identifying six recognized environmental conditions (RECs). IDOT completed the section of the project along Illinois Route 176. The report was updated before design approval in 2019
• Noise Analysis and Impact Study conducted using IDOT Highway Traffic Noise Assessment Manual and TNM 2.5
• Tree survey based on the City of Crystal Lake Development and Design Standards
• Public meeting
• Coordination with property owners
• Design of new water main and sanitary sewer
• IDOT coordination due to the use of federal funds and proposed improvements on a state route