Willow Road Future
Welcome to WillowRoadFuture.org, the primary source of information dedicated to the Willow Road Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study being conducted by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT.) This website will keep you informed about the status of the study, provide information on upcoming meetings and events, links to resources and an opportunity for you to provide your comments and questions related to the future of Willow Road.
The Willow Road study limits extend from approximately Illinois Route 43 (Waukegan Road) to Interstate 94 (Edens Expressway), a distance of two miles. The project area is located primarily within the Village of Northfield, but also affects the Villages of Northbrook, Glenview, and Winnetka.
Guided by IDOT's Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) policy, the Willow Road study continues to work with area communities to improve the overall safety, mobility, facility condition and design of Willow Road so that it is capable of meeting both current and future demands of all users.
Since beginning the study in November 2009, the Community Advisory Group (CAG) and public meetings have helped guide the entire Willow Road process. The CAG met 12 times over the course of two years and their work has completed a context inventory of the study area, analyzed the existing roadway conditions, developed a list of alternatives and evaluated those alternatives over three rounds of study, all with a focus on safety and community context. The CAG process, combined with community input, has led IDOT to the selection of a recommended alternative for Willow Road – Alternative 3 Modified. The recommended alternative includes two, 10-foot wide lanes in each direction separated by a curbed median with a 30 mph posted speed limit. IDOT is now working with the Village of Northfield to determine the features and details of the recommended alternative, including roadway footprint, median design, lighting, landscaping and other aesthetics, drainage issues, pedestrian and bikeway networks, safety features and bridge improvements.Guided by IDOT's Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) policy, the Willow Road study continues to work with area communities to improve the overall safety, mobility, facility condition and design of Willow Road so that it is capable of meeting both current and future demands of all users.