04-08-2025
Another section of Lake Forest's Deerpath Road being closed to traffic for renovation in August
The massive ongoing renovation in downtown Lake Forest will enter a new phase on August 7, when the entire intersection of Deerpath and Western is set to be closed to vehicles for more than two weeks.
As part of the Deerpath rehabilitation, crews are expected to completely block off vehicular access at the busy intersection, allowing for installation of new storm sewers and upgraded crosswalks in an overall effort to improve safety and enhance drainage, according to the city.
'In order to build those crosswalks and minimize the length of the disruption, it was basically decided to do all of the crosswalks at once. By the time you remove all of the crosswalks and pour back concrete, it is about two weeks,' City Engineer Byron Kutz said at a July City Council meeting.
With the intersection closed, detours will be set up directing drivers to the adjacent streets of Illinois, Green Bay, and Westminster Roads.
The city states pedestrian traffic will remain open and parking will remain available on Western, both north and south of the intersection.
The intersection closure is scheduled from August 7 through August 24, after the Lake Forest Day festivities of August 5 and 6 and ahead of the start of the 2025-26 school year for the two local public school districts. (The first day of classes for both District 67 and Lake Forest High School is August 27.)
City officials believe many residents may be out of town at the time.
'Potentially, the city is a little quieter,' Kutz said.
The closure represents the latest chapter of the continuing rehabilitation of Deerpath, which began shortly after the first of the year. The city believes the changes will enhance the area's streetscape and appearance upon completion. However, the lengthy project has frustrated many downtown business owners as the construction has severely limited customer access to their stores.
The Deerpath and Western closure is likely to be a challenge for Rosati's Pizza at the southwest corner of the intersection. However, owner Rich Hanson preferred to look at the streetscape enhancements as a whole.
'Sometimes you have to rip the bandage off,' he said. 'It might be a painful for a while but we are excited to see the entire renovation. It will be gorgeous.'
City spokeswoman Dana Olson said both the Deerpath and the corresponding overhaul of a section of Bank Lane, are both scheduled to be completed by the end of October.
