Quentin Road Expansion Faces Hurdles

The future of the Quentin Road expansion remains uncertain more than two-and-a-half years after the first public hearing about the project took place.

“The final plan needs approval from the county board, and there are those who don’t want to take any property from the forest preserve,” said Cook County Commissioner Gregg Goslin, who represents the 14th District, which includes Palatine. “I support the plan with recommendations from professionals—it has become a very sensitive matter.”

The plan would widen Quentin Road to five lanes – two lanes in both directions and a turning lane —between Lake Cook and Dundee roads. Although the plans call for five lanes, officials said there are those who would like to see the project scaled back to three lanes and a turning lane.

“If the road is built, it will be built into existing sections at either end of it, both of which are five lanes currently; it makes no sense to go from a five lanes (south of Dundee), to a three lane (north of
Dundee to Lake Cook Road) and then back to a five lane highway (north of Lake Cook Road),” Goslin said. “Why would we reinvest money in a three-lane highway when it won’t work?”

By the beginning of 2012, the $17 million Federal Phase 1 Project Development Report is expected to be in front of the Illinois Department of Transportation for approval, but only if the county board approves it first.

The project also includes adding underground tunnels for bikers, walkers and horseback riders and replacing a 100-year-old bridge between Lake Cook and Dundee roads.

The bridge replacement, which accounts for $3.7 million of the $17 million project, will be covered by federal funds and will take place whether or not the rest of the project is approved.

“The existing bridge structure, which carries Quentin Road over the Arlington Heights branch of Salt Creek, will be replaced due to the existing load posted condition of the aged structure,” acting Cook County superintendent of highways John Beissel said.

Other issues include acquiring private land from residents and the need for permanent easements on either side for sidewalks, which would have to come from the forest preserve.  Palatine Patch contacted the Forest Preserve District of Cook County about the project, but a spokesman said the district has not taken a position on the Quentin Road project.

 “It’s very problematic; in addition there would be the loss of trees, but many of them are degraded and not on forest preserve property and currently on the right of way, which is owned by the county,” Goslin said. “People say, 'How dare you build a highway in the middle of a forest preserve,' but the road was there before the county bought the property.”

Goslin said if the project is to move forward, there must also be sensitivity to the natural ecosystems there. 

“One thing we all agree on is there needs to be a vacation of property on the east side of the road, so there can be a bike trail and walking trail that provides connectivity between Dundee and Lake Cook Road,” Palatine District 1 Council Member Aaron Del Mar said.

“The village has always been supportive of the project," Palatine engineer Mike Danecki said. "It is a needed improvement, and provisions for residents should be included in it. We have offered to assist the county with the costs of sidewalks and bike paths.”

The Cook County Highway Department and the forest preserve plan to meet in November to discuss the project needs and scope as well as its impact on the forest preserve.

IDOT could take up to four months to review the final plan once it is submitted, Beissel said.