The saga of road construction in Homer Glen takes a turn towards progress as the Bell Road project, delayed by a hiccup in the relocation of utilities, is back on track, according to Will County officials. The project, which began in the spring of last year, initially faced a standstill when Nicor Gas relocated its main to an incorrect area, leading to a dispute about the proper location for the gas main and subsequent delays in the construction schedule. Jeff Ronaldson, director of the Will County Division of Transportation, shared with the Chicago Tribune that the roadwork is now expected to be completed by next spring, while local officials from Homer Glen are less optimistic, foreseeing completion by the end of 2025.
As the much-needed expansion of Bell Road from 159th to 151st streets aims to broaden the corridor from one lane to five, including sound walls, residents and businesses in the area have been caught in the crosshairs of inconvenience and expectation—with the project now slated to finish potentially two years behind schedule, Nicolas Frett, a Nicor spokesperson, had assured in an email statement obtained by the Chicago Tribune that the utility will cooperatively resolve any further issues that emerge. Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike conveyed to the same source the community's frustration, highlighting the impacts on commerce and commute, especially with the impending reopening of schools.
In related news, a jurisdictional transfer effective April 24, 2024, has vested ownership of Parker Road, Chicago-Bloomington Trail, Hadley Road, and 167th Street to the Village of Homer Glen, as detailed by Homer Glen's official website. This transfer, completed by the Illinois Department of Transportation, is part of a larger canvas of roadway improvements being pursued by local agencies, which include the forthcoming Phase I engineering study by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways to alleviate flooding issues on Will Cook Road.
