Work Begins at IL 73, Payne Rd. Intersection

The Illinois Dept. of Transportation (IDOT) started construction work at the intersection of IL 73 and Payne Road north of Lanark on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The intersection will be closed to all traffic. IDOT set the tentative completion date for mid-November 2008.

The $1.2 million intersection reconstruction includes the vertical realignment of the roadways, which will improve the sight distance at the intersection, especially to the north. The hill on Rt. 73 to the north of Payne Road will be lowered by over four feet. A new culvert will be placed south of Payne Road and the roadway raised by nearly six feet.

Because of these large grade changes, the entire roadway must be closed to complete the work. IDOT has recommended that IL Rt. 73 traffic be detoured east on IL 72 to Shannon, north on Shannon/Bolton Road to Pearl City, and then back west to IL 73 at Pearl City.

But for local traffic from the east and south attempting to reach residents and businesses located in the Lake Carroll vicinity, take Zier Road west at the intersection of Rts. 72-73 to Lake Carroll Blvd. If you are traveling from the north, turn right (west) on Peace and Quiet Road, then right on Hidden Ranch Drive, then left on Lake Carroll Blvd.

A detailed map of the businesses affected and the suggested routes was printed in the Sept. 10 issue of Carroll County's Prairie Advocate News on page 12, compliments of the Carroll County Economic Development Corp. To view the map on-line, go HERE. It will remain posted until the work is completed in mid-November.

IDOT reminds motorists that whatever detour you take, slow down and drive carefully through all construction zones.