Huntley's New Era for Road Improvements

Three major road projects either under way or in the planning process will help make Huntley a vital transportation hub within McHenry County. Now, village officials are looking to develop other capital road projects that will take it into a new era.

Huntley's staff and village trustees are working on developing the fiscal year 2011 budget, a process that includes evaluating current road projects and developing future ones.

Officials said a new era is starting and the village needs to develop projects that will help Huntley move forward.

Funding projects

Next year, Huntley plans to spend an estimated $14 million on the Route 47 widening project, the full interchange at Route 47 and Interstate 90 and the extension of Kreutzer Road, west of Route 47, Village Manager Dave Johnson said.

The village won’t have to borrow anything to pay for the projects and part of the funding for each project is coming from state and federal partnerships, he said. Johnson attributed the board’s financial leadership as the reason it won’t have to take on any debt to pay for the projects.

“This is many, many years of saving, right?” Trustee Pam Fender asked.

“It’s been a long road to get to,” Johnson said who also credited department heads for belt tightening over the last few years.

Current projects

One current project, widening and repaving Route 47 and one project in the works, a full interchange at Route 47 and Interstate 90, are expected to help drive economic development in the village.

The Route 47 widening and repaving project, between Kreutzer and Reed Roads, is wrapping up soon for the season and the Illinois Department of Transportation expects to have four lanes open by the end of the construction season, officials said.

The Illinois Tollway recently approved funding for the full interchange at I-90 and Huntley’s consultants are working on engineering plans.  The bidding process is expected to begin in March with construction starting in May, Johnson said.

The bidding process for the Kreutzer road extension is expected to start next fall.

New projects

As the budget process continues, Huntley officials will be looking at new projects to add to its capital improvement plan. A few of the projects the board will consider during the process:

• Dean Street widening

The roadway would be widened about five feet for better access for truck traffic from Dean Foods.

• Reed Road extension

The project, estimated at $60,000, would call for expending Reed Road to the west, creating access to Coyne Station Road. Johnson said it would help relive traffic on Main Street and facilitate movement to the Community School District 158’s Harmony Road campus.

• Cemetery Drive resurfacing

The roadway needs repairs and staff recommends budgeting $45,000.

• Pedestrian bridge over Route 47

The staff wants to budge $25,000 for a design. An example Johnson pointed to was in South Elgin over Randall Road. Algonquin is also considering one on Randall Road, he said.