Route 20 traffic diminishes a little after 6 p.m. Wednesday in this view to the east from the Route 31 overpass. (Ted Schnell • BocaJump)UPDATE: Shoe Factory Road work to begin Sept. 12, not mid-October.

By Ted Schnell • BocaJump

Elgin appears to be beset on multiple fronts as the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority continues an extensive rehabilitation project on Interstate 90 and the Illinois Department of Transportation conducts bridge repairs and resurfacing on U.S. Route 20 (see map below).

Both projects put the squeeze on those trying to get from one side of town to the other, on those simply trying to pass through en route to another destination.

But Elgin’s East-Side access will be restricted further as Canadian National Railway prepares to begin work at the CN/EJ&E rail crossing in Hoffman Estates, which will close Shoe Factory Road for a while. That work is scheduled to start Sept. 12.

Route 20 down to single lanes

Route 20 in Elgin already is reduced to one lane in either direction for about six miles from just west of Shales Parkway to east of McLean Boulevard.

The $8.66 million project includes bridges repairs and resurfacing, with work expected to be completed in October, according to IDOT’s construction update report for Kane County.

IDOT earlier this month was recommending drivers find alternate east-west routes, such as I-90, Routes 58, 72 and 64 or Stearns Road. But I-90 also is in the midst of construction season pains.

Big project on I-90

On I-90, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority on Wednesday evening, Aug. 17, shut down the eastbound entrance ramp to the Jayne Addams Memorial Tollway from northbound Route 31 in Elgin for ramp reconstruction. The closure is expected to extend through 8 p.m. Aug. 23.

According to the Illinois Tollway, northbound Route 31 traffic will be directed east on Higgins Road and south on Route 25 to reach the eastbound entrance ramp to I-90.

The exit ramp from eastbound I-90 to northbound Route 31 and the eastbound entrance ramp from southbound Route 31 have been closed for a week for ramp reconstruction work and were to reopen earlier this week.

The Illinois Tollway is resurfacing the 50-year-old section of I-90 between U.S. Route 20 and Genoa Road and between the Elgin Toll Plaza and Barrington Road, and is rehabilitating 25 bridge structures on I-90. Work is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

Shoe Factory Road

Timing could come into play between the I-90 work and Canadian National Railway’s project at the CN/EJ&E rail crossing in Hoffman Estates. That work is scheduled from Sept. 12 to Sept. 30.

Elgin Public Services Director David Lawry told the Elgin City Council last week the railroad’s work on the crossing is expected to begin in late October, after Illinois Tollway is scheduled to begin wrapping up work on the I-90. Lawry’s presentation was focused on Elgin road projects, but he also filled in the council about the I-90, Route 20 and Shoe Factory Road projects.

He credited Hoffman Estates officials for keeping his office informed about the Shoe Factory Road project, since it potentially would affect drivers seeking to bypass the Elgin Toll Plaza during construction there.

Mike Hankey, Hoffman Estates director of transportation and engineering, said Thursday Canadian National Railway has shifted its schedule to Sept. 12 through Sept. 30. He added that the Shoe Factory Road work will begin after lane closures have ended on Higgins Road to the east at the bridge over I-90. The Higgins Road lane closures are part of the Illinois Tollway project to resurface I-90 and rehabilitate 25 tollway bridges as well.

Canadian National Railway's plans include:

• Widening Shoe Factory Road for installation of a median barrier curb to maintain the existing quiet zone designation;
• Replacing the crossing material surface;
• Extending a second siding track that ends north of Shoe Factory Road through the road crossing where it will transition back to a single track just south of Shoe Factory Road;
• Completing the missing section of bike path on the north side of Shoe Factory Road to connect existing paths to the east and west of the railroad;
• Installation of pedestrian gates.

The closure is planned in mid- to late October, and Canadian National Railway is expected to posts signs advising motorists of that a week to 10 days beforehand.

Construction speed zones enforced

A 45 mph speed limit is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all construction zones, whether or not workers are present. Drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present.

Illinois State Police have zero tolerance for drivers speeding in work zones. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375. Posted signs advise drivers of a $10,000 fine and 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker.

View Elgin's east-west construction constriction in a larger map