Highland Avenue and Lyle Avenue Roundabout Ph. I, II

City of Elgin

OBJECTIVE

The City’s Traffic and Parking Committee, along with the Elgin Police Department, identified the need for safety improvements at the intersection due to the frequency and severity of reported crashes. The intersection was referred to the City of Elgin Engineering Department for further study, and HLR was tasked with completing an intersection study in 2021. Several issues were identified in the study, most notably a high incidence of traffic accidents associated with turning movements.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This STP-funded project is located at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Lyle Avenue in Elgin. The project involves the design of a mini roundabout and sidewalk gap closure.

The Phase I scope of work included a topographic survey, wetland screening, environmental survey request, tree survey, Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment, traffic and crash analyses, an updated engineer’s estimate of cost, a stormwater evaluation report, an IDOT-approved Intersection Design Study (IDS), a Project Development Report, and a public meeting. Coordination was also completed with St. Joseph’s Hospital for its helipad, School District U-46, PACE, and the Elgin Fire and Police Departments. The project was processed as a Categorical Exclusion and included a State-approved BLR 22210 form with attachments. Phase II began concurrently with Phase I following the initial IDOT review of the Intersection Design Study.

Phase II of the project included preparation of plans, specifications, and bid documents in accordance with IDOT federal project standards. Due to right-of-way considerations identified during Phase I engineering, a boundary survey was conducted and confirmed that no additional right-of-way was required for construction. HLR also provided layout for a full-size demonstration of the roundabout in an open area near the City of Elgin Public Works facility for City and Fire District staff. Additionally, Kane County Stormwater Ordinance permitting, IEPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting, utility coordination, and Clean Construction and Demolition Debris permitting were completed.

A roundabout was recommended by the 2021 intersection study and received STP funding from the Kane Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) in the 2022 Call for Projects. The project also includes a sidewalk connection along the south side of Highland Avenue from Lyle Avenue to Thomas More Drive. The project is scheduled for the April 2026 letting and is anticipated to be constructed in summer 2026 with a three-month detour.