As a resident this area near Quentin Road, I drive this particular section several times a day. I've also never understood why the power-that-be have insisted on this ridiculous 5-lane proposal. The bottleneck isn't this section, but rather the two lane section between Long Grove Rd and Rand Rd. While I support plans to improve the road, I feel 5-lanes is not only overkill, but it also could present a more dangerous situation than already exists if no sort of stoplight at the Dunhaven Woods is considered in the planning.

One bright spot in all this is the bike/walking lane spanning the entire section of road, once that's in I'll just leave the car in driveway and the county can enjoy their 5-lane monstrosity all by themselves.

The Quentin Road expansion needs to be a approved...and the Cook County Superintendent of Hwys, Cook County Board members and IDOT need to recognize the danger that currently exists on this stretch of road.
Over the past decade Questin road has become a very popular roadway for motorist traveling from Route 22 to Route 62. But the section of road between Lake Cook road and Dundee has also become a very dangerous stretch of road. This particular section of road forces you to go from 2 lanes to a single lane design at 40 MPH. Any resident attempting to access by foot or cycle the Forest Preserve entrance on Quentin is FORCED to take their life in their hands... their is NO safe walkway along Quentin...yet cars pass you within inches at 40 MPH !
The entrance into the Forest Preserve on Quentin is a constant source of frustration from pedestrians attempting to cross Quentin with incoming traffic traveling at 40 MPH and maneuver around cars entering & existing the forest preserve grounds.
Over the years, I've witnessed several "near accidents" of residents walking along Quentin...why prolong this ill designed roadway ? Expand the road, 3 lanes or 5 lanes...let the "committees" decide..but do it quickly. We have waited long enough.

As a resident of Palatine and someone who uses Quentin between Dundee and Lake Cook daily to and from work, I see no need to expand, adding extra lanes. It's never backed up when I'm using it. I will be outraged if the Forest Preserve (which purpose is to "preserve forest") is impeeded on. What needs to be done is have a bike lane installed. I'm pissed off that this is even an issue.

I am also a resident of Palatine, and would like to see the expansion into a 5-lane with an underground for byciclists, walkers, and joggers. Every day there is a horrible traffic jam starting before Lake Cook Road all the way to Rand Road. There have been times when I have actually sat there for 45 minutes in what usually takes only 10 minutes. Also, for now, they should post signs on Quentin that noone is allowed to drive their bikes or walk. I've seen a lot of these cyclists that think they are in a marathon and they are swirving in, out, and in front of those cars that are going 40 mph !!!! And if one of those cars hits them, I'll be the first to help the car driver by acting as witness that these cyclists are doing it on purpose (for easy money and a lawsuit).

I have had problems getting into and out of the forest preserve on Quentin.

First, the road needs to be widened on the east side so that cars can get past you while you are trying to turn into the forest preserve from Quentin (headed north). If I stop where one would normally stop the cars can't get around me without going into potholes -- so, I stop back a little bit so they can get around me while I'm waiting for a chance to turn in there.

I have had most problems trying to exit the forest preserve onto Quentin, especially in the winter when snow is piled up and I can't see the oncoming traffic that is coming at me from the north. It is very dangerous to turn to the north from the forest preserve exit but, at times, just as dangerous to turn to the south.

I don't believe that the 40mph is appropriate for a road running thru a forest preserve. Yes, it should be lowered. I just don't understand how people can drive that fast right next to woods on both sides. Haven't they ever heard that there are deer at Deer Grove?

The bike path should not be crossing the road at the same spot where cars are trying to get in and out of the forest preserve. I guess a tunnel would solve that problem but tunnels aren't always very safe places to be. I know I was often a tad fearful going into the tunnel near the Palatine Library. I don't see why the bike path can't be modified to take bikes out of the woods at an existing traffic light (with a new sidewalk along Quentin).

How refreshing to read an article about the Quentin Road rebuild written by a reporter that actually checked the facts by going directly to the sources! Commissioner Goslin should be commended for supporting the plan based on what the "professionals" recommend, as it should be. This road needs to be 2-lanes in each direction with turn lanes at the residential streets and at Camp Reinberg, along with sidewalk on the East side, as planned by the Cook County Highway Department. Download and zoom in on the PDF map on www.buildquentin.com and see the details for yourselves. The sidewalk plan on the East side of the road from Ruhl Rd. to Camp Reinberg is the only detail not shown as it was added based on input from the Open House. The only way improvements to this 1-mile stretch will work is to make the number of lanes match what is to the North and South, getting rid of the bottleneck and letting traffic flow properly. The 5th lane is planned only for turning at Camp Reinberg and at residential streets from Ruhl Rd. to Lake Cook Rd. - the remainder of the road will be 4-lanes! The only monstrous thing about all this is the price tag which keeps rising - partly due to the number of times this project has been stopped. This project is needed for SAFETY, MOBILITY & CONNECTITY for the 26,000 cars that traverse it each day AND THE PEOPLE IN THEM, plus cyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians that want to fully enjoy what this beautiful preserve has to offer - not be cut off from it!

A forest PRESERVE should be just that, period. Preserved land. There's not much point to a peaceful, quiet(?), natural spot that is surrounded by a FIVE lane road.

In addition, if we don't use some common sense limiting paved space why shouldn't all roads be 5 lane highways. Actually why stop there -make it an even 6.

Finally, instead of the expense associated with a bike/walking tunnel or bridge, why not change the location of where it meets Quentin to make it safer. Adding shoulder or path along Quentin for bike/walking is unnecessary because there are trails that can be used instead.

Stop dreaming. There is no need to expand Quentin road, just add left turn lanes and fix the bridge. Lower the speed to 35mph and make it safer for people using the forest preserve. Keep Deer Grove Forest Preserve a recreational area that it is. There are no problems with the road as it is. The traffic dies down after 11pm until 4:30 in the morning and there has never been a traffic jam on this short road between Dundee and Lake-Cook. Just adjust the traffic light timing on Dundee and Lake-Cook. Use the money for something worthwhile. We don't need a bike or foot path and certainly don't need an underground walkway for a once a month horseback rider. The whole expansion idea is utterly ridiculous. It's just like all the politicians talking in Washington.

I live right here and have made left turns at all hours of the day, and the most I have waited once was 2 minutes. It also depends on a driver too. The folks who dreamed of this expansion don't live here and grew up surrounded by asphalt. this Quentin road section is not the cause of traffic jam, it's the left turning cars and long red lights at both ends. Put in a left turn lane, adjust traffic light timings and lower the speed to 35 from 45 (The 4-lane section of Quentin south of Dundee has speed limit of 35-40mph, go figure that). It's worth a wait to turn once, may be twice a day to save the nature and enjoy it, because that's the first reason why many people moved to this area.

These battles seem to be always fought over the wrong issues. If widening Quentin Road through this stretch to 5 lanes makes sense, and it does because the roads connecting to both ends of it are 5 lanes, that is what should be built. The small amount of land required from the forest preserve is inconsequential to the forest preserve but monumental to the needs of the road and the public safety. I appreciate nature as much as most environmentalists and have fought to preserve areas when that makes sense. Improve the road correctly and everyone benefits, including nature.

Five lane expansion is not a correct solution. Dundee road, a state route is 2 lanes from west of Hicks all the way to route 59, so is Roselle south of NW Hwy to Euclid and so is route 53, north of Lake-Cook all the way to route 83. Those roads are lot busier than this small section of Quentin. Why don't they expand them? It's not true that both ends of this section of Quentin are 5 lane roads. Dundee is a 2-lane state route and Lake-Cook, a 4-lane road, becomes a 2-lane road west of Quentin. This road has minimal traffic during off-peak hours and practically falls silent after 11pm until 4:30 in the morning. Put a stop sign at Ruhl and also at the forest preserve entrance, put in left turn lanes, fix the bridge and lower the speed to 35.

OFCOURSE YOU PEOPLE SEE NO NEED TO EXPAND. I LIVE OFF OF QUENTIN ROAD AND IT IS RIDICULOUS TO PULL IN AND OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD. IT CAN TAKE 10 MINUTES TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ON SOMEDAYS AND I AM SICK OF IT!! THEY NEED TO EXPAND THIS ROAD AND IN THE MEAN TIME MAYBE YOU PEOPLE SHOULD STAY OFF THIS PART OF THE ROAD SO I CAN PULL OUT!!

Agree with Ellen.

Where do people get the idea that Quentin goes through the middle of the forest preserve? Get a map and see for yourself. The road needs to be expanded for safety and traffic concerns. Either expand Quentin Road or extend 53. The forest preserve can do without the trees next to the road anyways, they are hazards the way they lean towards the road and will fall one day into traffic. Get the road done!!!