Two DeKalb County road improvement projects, holding a total price tag of about $550,000, are scheduled to receive bids Feb. 3, said Rep. John Countryman (R_DeKalb).

The first project proposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation involves the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Route 23 and Edgebrook Lane in Sycamore. The installation of traffic lights will cost about $60,000, according to IDOT, and Countryman said the project should begin in late March and will take 30 to 45 days to complete.

Countryman also said the primary reason for the improvement is excessive traffic in the area, which contains a mobile home park, a car dealership and a car wash. Countryman said the project has been in the planning stages for almost three years.

“Safety is always a big objective. The road is four lanes wide and is difficult to cross, and the new signals would help the flow of traffic further down (Sycamore Road),” said Countryman.

“I look around the district I represent for areas where major improvement is needed, and I think there is a need in this area,” he said.

Another DeKalb County road improvement plan proposed by IDOT includes the construction of traffic signals at U.S. Route 34, Latham Street, Railroad Street and Old U.S. Route 34 in Sandwich.

This project also allows for widening and resurfacing of these roads. The estimated cost for both phases of the plan is $490,000.

“This project has been looked at for some time. It is a major improvement that will take well into summer to complete, but it will make the area safer,” said Countryman.