Resurfacing of Washington Street in Waukegan, between Frolic and Park avenues, is nearly complete after months of work and planning for major changes to the roadway.
The project will significantly enhance mobility for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users, with improvements scheduled to begin early next year.
Though planning will start in 2026, Mayor Sam Cunningham said the search for potential grant funding and the necessary engineering work, which must precede the start of any construction, puts completion of the Washington Street Corridor project years away.
Spending $5.2 million to resurface Washington Street now was a necessity even though Cunningham said the Washington Street Corridor project, which is estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $25 million, may be done in as little as five years or as long as 10 years.
“The road was in such disrepair it had to be done right now,” Cunningham said, referring to the resurfacing project. “The condition of Washington Street was the number one complaint we were getting from residents.”
Formal planning for the Washington Street Corridor Project from Green Bay Road to the Metra railroad station is expected to start in early 2026, which, when done, will complement plans for downtown Waukegan and the lakefront.
“It will be a game-changer for pedestrians who will be able to walk to our lakefront,” Cunningham said. “This could be a 10-year project. It will help rebuild Waukegan.”
With more than one way to secure funding through grants or federal programs where the U.S. government pays 80% of infrastructure programs and the local governing body adds 20%, Cunningham said the first phase may take several years.
One potential source of funds is the Lake County Council of Mayors. The group is one of 11 in the Chicago area with the ability to allocate money for infrastructure projects. Cunningham said it is part of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP).
“We plan to submit the project in 2026 for 2027 funding,” he said. “There is an annual allocation from CMAP. This may have to be a multiyear plan. Some of them take several years.”
Thomas Maillard, who handles special projects and legislative affairs for the city, said the entire Washington Street Corridor project includes rebuilding the road, a more extensive effort than the current repaving. Water, sewer and other underground infrastructure will be redone as well.
Maillard said the project will be multimodal, looking at how to improve the stretch of road for pedestrians, bicycle riders and public transportation like buses. Intersections will be studied to make changes that add to motorists’ efficiency, like turn lanes and traffic control devices.
“We’re already working on improving the bus shelters on Washington Street,” Maillard said. “This will include sidewalks and beautification of the Robert McLory Bike Path. It may include reconfiguring part of it.”
Once the first phase is done and funding secured, Cunningham said the project moves into Phase 2. It is an extensive and detailed engineering process that enables potential contractors to bid on the effort. Phase 3 is the actual construction.
