Grade separation project advances in Illinois

Clearing operations are tentatively scheduled to begin this week for the Rollins Road Gateway project in Round Lake Beach, Ill.

To be completed in November 2014, the more than $30 million project calls for building a temporary track in late summer and fall to provide CN and Metra uninterrupted service while a rail bridge is later constructed over Rollins Road. The temporary track and grade crossing with a temporary Rollins Road will be placed about three feet higher than the existing track, matching the height of the new track crossing Rollins Road.

After a substantial portion of the new Rollins Road is paved in summer 2014, the existing grade crossing — and related motorist delays associated with train traffic — will be eliminated, according to the Lake County Division of Transportation.

Train traffic long has impacted the Rollins Road and Illinois Route 83 area, with nearly 50 freight and commuter trains crossing Rollins Road each day, division data shows.