The Laraway Road corridor serves as a vital link for residents, commuters, and freight traffic in the Joliet area. Today, frequent train crossings cause long delays, congestion, and safety concerns — particularly near the Union Pacific Railroad crossing east of Brandon Road.
The Phase I study focuses on improving safety and operations along Laraway Road. Classified by IDOT as a 3R project (resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation), it is based on current and near-term traffic forecasts. Planned improvements include adding right-turn lanes at all four sides of the IL 53 intersection and replacing the east-side sidewalk with a multi-use path.
The corridor also supports major regional employers and freight centers, including CenterPoint Intermodal Center and nearby industrial facilities. Addressing these conflicts will improve mobility, safety, and reliability for all roadway users.
How We Got Here
From 2020 to 2022, the City of Joliet and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) led a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to evaluate grade separation options.
Download the PEL Study here.
