LaGrange Road Widening Update: How Close Is It to Being Done?

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin has some commuters chuckling and rolling their eyes at a promise that construction on LaGrange Road will be done by Thanksgiving.

McLaughlin announced the news last month during a telephone town hall meeting. The $100 million project to widen LaGrange to three lanes from 131st to 179th streets has taken years, and some $15 million in enhancements along the road in both directions will continue into next year.

So how close is it to being done by the end of this month?

The latest updates include the news that all three southbound lanes as well as the southbound turn lanes south of 131st Street will be open by the end of the day Tuesday. From now until Thanksgiving, temporary lane closures will be necessary to continue median, traffic signal and parkway work.

"The contractor will continue to work on opening northbound lanes and turn lanes," the village said in a brief release. "It is anticipated that the northbound lanes north of 143rd Street will be open November 2. Once the lanes are open, temporary lane closures will still be necessary to continue traffic signal, median and parkway work until Thanksgiving."

Drivers are told to expect delays as the lanes are being opened. Final striping and temporary traffic signal adjustments need to be made prior to opening.

McLaughlin has said you'll be driving a fully reopened LaGrange—including turn lanes!—by late November.