The Lewis Avenue Planning Study is a Planning and Environmental Linkages study to identify improvements to address safety, increase non-motorized transportation connectivity, and satisfy the future travel demands on the Lewis Avenue corridor in Lake County.
Lewis Avenue experiences excessive traffic speeds and limited non-motorized connectivity in the corridor. These safety concerns result in high crash rates for both motorized and non-motorized transportation users. The study is needed to identify potential improvements to reduce the risk of crashes and accommodate the future travel demands of both motorized and non-motorized transportation throughout the corridor.
The purpose of the Lewis Avenue Planning Study is to develop an accepted Purpose and Need statement along with goals and objectives based on input from stakeholders and the public. An initial range of improvement alternatives will be evaluated to identify those that best support the project’s Purpose and Need and avoid or minimize environmental impacts. Alternatives will be evaluated and presented to project stakeholders and the public for input to help determine which alternatives are recommended for evaluation in future Phase I – Preliminary Engineering studies.
We need your help to plan for the future of Lewis Avenue. Provide feedback, share ideas, and ask questions through the website and at our community conversations.
The study will result in a variety of recommended improvements that will prioritize local connectivity, accessibility, and quality of life, ensuring our community remains an outstanding place to live, raise a family, and start or grow a business.
In the coming months, we’ll gather your thoughts and feedback through conversations, public meetings, and online engagement. We’ll also work with community leaders and organizations to make sure that we’re hearing from an inclusive range of voices.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in the study.
The SIG will work in coordination with the project team to ensure that identified solutions balance both community and technical needs. The project team will solicit SIG members through outreach with local community leaders, elected officials, and others. SIG members will be able to serve as a project champion to the constituencies they represent or serve in the community.
Your input is critical to the success of the study. We will use your ideas and feedback to determine the priorities and recommended improvements needed along the Lewis Avenue corridor.
The study began in 2025 with data collection and analysis. In 2026, stakeholder engagement and public involvement will inform the development of the NEPA-Ready Purpose and Need of the project and identification of alternatives. Following a robust public involvement process, alternatives to be carried forward will be documented in the Final PEL Report by the end of 2027.
Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning stage and carries them through project development, design, and construction.
The Study Team has collected data on safety, traffic, travel patterns, roadway conditions, environmental resources, drainage, and community development.
The study team has performed traffic modeling using CMAP 2050 projections and analyzed land use in the area to forecast and account for potential future growth.
The study will be completed by the end of 2027.
The PEL study will recommend short-term and long-term improvement options. LCDOT will use these options to program future engineering and construction phases along the corridor.
The PEL study will recommend motorized and non-motorized alternatives to be carried forward for the Lewis Avenue corridor. Specific mainline, intersection, and non-motorized transportation options will be identified during Phase I – Preliminary Engineering Studies. It is expected the full study will be broken down into smaller projects for future phases.
The PEL study has identified multi-use paths, sidewalks, and bike-friendly shoulders as non-motorized alternatives that should be evaluated in segment specific preliminary engineering studies. One or more of those non-motorized alternatives will be included as part of the future segment specific projects.
The PEL study considers potential property impacts at a high-level. During the segment specific preliminary engineering studies, detailed property impacts will be evaluated. It is important to note that there is always a preference to achieve what we can within existing of right-of-way.
Materials from public meetings will be posted here as they become available.