Buffalo Grove, ILBuffalo Grove

The underlying pavement on Bernard Drive was constructed in the 1950’s at the east end of Bernard Drive and in the 1970’s at the west end of Bernard Drive, making sections 50-70 years old, respectively. Underground infrastructure, such as water main, storm and sanitary sewers, is also nearing the end of its life.  

The most cost-effective and least intrusive approach to handle these infrastructure upgrades is to coordinate their replacements in a manner that most reduces impacts to the residents. We intend to replace underground infrastructure and then reconstruct the roadway through the various phases of construction. That way, you shouldn't need to see any major work in this are for another 50+ years.  

Before road reconstruction, the water main is replaced, and storm and sanitary sewer lines are replaced as needed. Roadway reconstruction requires the evaluation of safety, drainage, non-motorized and roadway needs. Full-depth reconstructed means that the asphalt, road base and curb will be entirely removed and replaced. 

The Bernard Drive Reconstruction project is a complex, multi-year project that addresses both underground and roadway infrastructure replacements. Planning for the project began in 2019, and all construction is expected to be completed in 2027, dependent on funding. 

The Village utilizes grant funding for construction projects as much as possible. To receive federal grants, such as the instance in the Bernard improvements, federal processes are required. 

The most cost-effective and least intrusive approach to handle these infrastructure upgrades is to coordinate their replacements in a manner that most reduces impacts to the residents. We intend to replace underground infrastructure and then reconstruct the roadway through the various phases of construction. That way, you shouldn't need to see any major work in this are for another 50+ years.  So yes, it may seem like a long time now, but it will be in good shape for decades to come! 

Planning for Bernard Drive improvements began in 2019. The Phase 1 Study launched in 2020 to evaluate the current conditions and future infrastructure needs to best meet community growth and demands – this includes preliminary engineering and environmental considerations. This study was completed in 2021.  

Since then, funding strategies and work with land acquisition and construction plan preparation has been underway. The entire project has been broken up into three separate projects: East (25-471 Bernard), Central (483-750 Bernard) and West (760-1144 Bernard).  

In 2022, water main replacement occurred in the East section. Design has been completed for this section and construction is expected to begin in Spring of 2024. Land acquisition (for grading and construction of sidewalks and multiuse paths) continues for the Central section, and construction could begin as early as November 2024, with the West section to follow. All timelines are dependent on funding availability. The Village has been working hard to secure grant funding to reduce any associated long-term debt. So far, nearly $2,000,000 in funding that has already been secured through the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Transportation Enhancement Program. Many of the improvements are designed to meet IDOT's grant recipient requirements, such as the increased curb height, multi-use path addition and drive lane/parking changes.  

Given the length of Bernard, it's been split into three projects: East, Central and West.

Bernard East

• This project area is from Buffalo Grove Road to Lincoln Terrace (addresses 25-471 Bernard Drive).
• Water main replacement and select sanitary lining has been completed, along with.  detailed roadway design. 
• Roadway and multi-use path construction is anticipated to occur March through September 2024.
• Following, there may be some remaining sewer lining work that requires no excavation.
• Residents located in this project area will receive a letter a few weeks before construction is set to begin. 

Bernard Central 

• This project area is from Estate Drive to Lincoln Terrace (addresses 483-750 Bernard Drive), but also includes the multi-use path extending from Lincoln Terrace to Arlington Heights Road.
• Phase I is complete with detailed road, utility and drainage design currently underway. 
• Construction for roadway, culvert, multi-use path and utilities is estimated for October 2024 to August 2025. 
• Residents who have easements needed for the project have already been contacted directly by the Village. All others will receive updates via this website until the project is a few weeks out from starting.

Bernard West

• This project area is from Estate Drive to Arlington Heights Road  (addresses 760-1144 Bernard Drive).
• Phase I is complete. All detailed design work is expected to begin after Bernard Central's design is complete. 
• Construction is estimated to start in 2026, but it could be earlier or later depending on funding. 
• The scope will be determined in the detailed design or may change based upon the funding mechanisms of the project. Information will be updated on this website.

It depends where your property is located.

Why remove these trees?
These parkway trees are located in the Village's right-of-way (ROW). The eastern sections of Bernard have a very narrow parkway as they were originally constructed before the adoption of the wider standard seen in the western sections of Bernard and many other streets throughout the Village.

Following construction, the parkway will be narrowed on the East/Central project areas. The ROW cannot be altered given the proximity to private property and residents' homes. While removing trees is the last thing we want to do, trees cannot safely fit back into the ROW due to clearance, space and grade issues. 

Our urban forest is important, and in effort to replenish the loss of parkway trees, the Village is seeking to partner with impacted residents, where possible, to install trees on their private property side of the sidewalk. The option to have a new tree installed following removal is being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The Village's Forester Tom Milas will lead a program of tree selection and placement on private property in this area in lieu of new parkway trees. Impacted residents who have the option to participate will receive a notice and questionaire in the mail providing the option to participate in this program or elect to not have a tree planted.   

If a resident elects to be in the program, they will receive a species list with pictures to select a tree from along with locations that are suitable on their property. The Village will then have a contractor install all the trees at one time followed by turf restoration of any areas disturbed by the plantings. Lastly the Village will maintain the tree for one year following the planting, after which the maintenance and ownership responsibility will be that of the homeowner.