McHenry County Blog

From the McHenry Department of Transportation:

MCDOT Update

Construction

November 1, 2012, at Randall Road and Virginia Street intersection.

Rakow Road has been completed. Aside from a few punch list items and tree planting in the spring, this $26 million project was completed ahead of schedule and on budget. The project website was very successful to help keep motorists aware of weekly progress. The website had over 21,500 hits with emails being sent to over 230 residents. Here is a sample comment from a resident from November:

“I really have appreciated theses updates. I forward them to my friends and family, and they all appreciate it and want me to thank you. It really has been a BIG help with our travel time knowing we need to leave earlier for work etc. (GIANT SMILEY FACE)”

 Visit the project website to also see the ribbon cutting ceremony pictures: www.RakowRoad.com.

Miller Road construction has begun. The project has been split into two phases. Phase 1 is from roughly a ¼ mile east of Green Street to River Road. Over this winter, the new bridge that will carry the new westbound lanes will be built. The existing bridge will be used for the eastbound lanes. For photos, project details and to sign up for email updates, Facebook and Twitter, visit the project website at www.CharlesMillerRoad.com.

Walkup Road is now 80% complete and fully prepared for winter shutdown. The project, originally scheduled for completion in 2012, was delayed by AT&T. Project completion is now scheduled for spring 2013. The final project includes a new traffic signal at Mason Hill Road, a bicycle/pedestrian path linking Prairie Ridge High School to downtown Crystal Lake, a new wetland within Veteran Acres Park, replacement of aged water mains, and additional travel/turning lanes at Illinois Route 176 which will improve the operations and safety of the intersection.

For photos, project details and to sign up for email updates, Facebook and Twitter, visit the project website at www.WalkupRoad.com.

Western Algonquin Bypass - Work will continue through the winter on the retaining walls and bridges for the bypass over Algonquin Road. Algonquin Road will remain one lane in each direction through the summer of 2013. Completion of the entire project is anticipated in 2014. Visit http://www.dot.il.gov/IL31alg/index.html for project updates.

 Bridges

The MCDOT has completed three bridge replacement projects this year, all lead by MCDOT Construction Engineering staff and totaling approximately $3.5 million in construction costs.

1. The Blivin Street Bridge in the Village of Spring Grove.

2. The Graf Road Bridge over the Piscasaw Creek in Chemung Township.

3. The Dunham Road Bridge over the Rush Creek in Dunham Township.

Bids were opened for the Hill Road Bridge in Richmond Township and the Lawrence Road Bridge in November for construction in 2013.

County Highway Engineer Joseph Korpalski and State Rep. Mike Tryon can be seen on the left as people waited for the ceremony to begin.

This morning’s ribbon cutting for Rakow Road had a bit better weather than the snowy day when the road was inaugurated.

McHenry County Board member Jim Heisler made a bee line to the coffee dispenser.

The sides to the tent weren’t lowered today.

Beginning the festivities, McHenry County Board Transportation Committee Chairman Anna May Miller noted she had a “wind blown” look this year. She also wore gloves.

No participation, but wind strong enough to lift the unweighted tent poles from the parking lot surface.

How strong was the wind? You can get an idea from looking at McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters’ and State Rep. Mike Tryon’s hair.  Note the turned up collars.

And, it mused up more than Miller’s hair.

Transportation Committee Chairman Anna May Miller introduced County Board Chairman Ken Koehler.

Traffic on the 32,000 a day road was light between 9 and 9:30 in the morning.

Most of the crowd was warmly dressed, including ear muffs, but I saw one man in shorts.

The road is designed to handle 60,000 vehicles a day.

Phyllis Walters, the widow of James Rakow, pointed out that his last name is pronounced “Raco” with a long “a,” not “Racko.” She told a humorous story about being asked how she knew. “I’m married to him.”

The main speaker was Phyllis Walters, the wife of Jim Rakow, the man after whom the road is named.

After the ceremony, Phyllis Walters pointed out her grandchildren in the enlarged photograph.

She pointed out that she wished Congressman Don Manzullo was in attendance since he had gotten $7 million for the widening of the road put into the Federal budget.  She said she would miss having him as Congressman.

State Rep. Mike Tryon spoke next.

And, then it was off to cut the ribbon.

“These are real scissors,” McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler was heard to say.  From left to right are County Engineer Joe Korpalski, Rep. Mike Tryon, Chairman Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Transportation Committee Chairman Chair Anna May Miller, Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters, and Peter Austin.

No stopping traffic.

The scissors didn’t work on the first try.

This ribbon cutting was as symbolic as the ground breaking ceremony a year and a half ago.

Ken Koehler tried a second time to cut the red ribbon.

The ribbon cutting part of the ceremony did not go as planned.

The third time was not the charm for the Rakow Road ribbon cutting.

By this time I was laughing my head off.

It was time to bring the local expert in ribbon cuttings in for assistance. Gary Reece, Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive came forward to offer advice.

I was asking,  “Is anyone getting video of this?”

The angle with which one applies the scissors seems key to success in cutting ribbons.

If at first you don’t succeed…

Still trying to cut that *x@# red ribbon.

And the wind kept blowing.

Try, try, try again.

I was laughing so hard, had I had a camera with film, the photos would have been fuzzy.

Can you spell “frustration?”

Maybe you had to be there to enjoy the spectacle.

Success!

I’m sure the guys who did the work were amused.

Standing at the back of the crowd where the ones who were responsible for the construction.

Afterward, there was a rush to the inside of one of the businesses in the at least half empty strip mall which has to have been hurt by the two construction seasons.

Phyllis Walters ended up with the Rakow Road red ribbon wrapped around her neck.

Now maybe the at least half empty strip mall at the intersection of McHenry Avenue and Rakow Road will find some tenants.

The strip mall where McHenry Avenue meets Rakow Road has had a hard time renting space in 2011 and 2012 during the widening of highway.

McHenry County Division of Transportation Maintenance Superintendent Mark DeVries receiving the American Public Works Association  2012 Presidential Leadership Award from APWA Past President Diane Linderman. The Presidential Leadership Award is presented at the discretion of the APWA President to someone who has distinguished himself or herself in the public works profession.

“I am pleased to announce that the McHenry County Division of Transportation (MCDOT) Maintenance Superintendent Mark DeVries was recently awarded the American Public Works Association (APWA) Presidential Leadership Award for 2012!

“The Presidential Leadership Award is an extraordinary commemoration.

“It is awarded at the discretion of the APWA President to someone who has distinguished himself or herself in the public works profession.

“Past recipients of this prestigious award include former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters.

“Mark received the award at the APWA Congress and Expo this August in Anaheim, CA which is an annual gathering of APWA members from across the world.

“APWA is the largest international organization of its kind with over 28,000 members and serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and exchange of knowledge.

“The Presidential Leadership Award is the highest award APWA bestows upon an individual.

“Mark is being recognized as he has been an exemplary professional in snow and ice, and winter maintenance and safety.

“His efforts in the public works profession are felt not only here locally in McHenry County but throughout Illinois, the entire United States, and internationally.

“His passion, enthusiasm and willingness to share his expertise with others in the profession are unparalleled in his field.

“Mark has worked for the McHenry County Division of Transportation since 1984 and has been Maintenance Superintendent since 2001.

“He chairs APWA’s Winter Maintenance Subcommittee and the Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award Committee.

“He has shared his experiences with local agencies as well at local seminars and expos.

“Mark also assists the Illinois Local Technology Transfer Program and teaches flagging safety and snow and ice removal for new operators for many local agencies in northern Illinois.

“In 2010, Mark was also recognized as one of APWA’s Top Ten Public Leader of the Year.”

That’s what this reminder from the McHenry County Department of Transportation says:

“The McHenry County Division of Transportation will be holding an open house this Thursday, August 23rd, 2012, between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the Crystal Lake City Hall.

“Attendees will be able to review the public comments on the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan that have been heard to this point, review the goals and objectives of the plan, and provide their input on the direction of the plan.

“County DOT staff will be in attendance to listen to your ideas and gather input. To learn more about the plan, review documents, and see what others in the County have to say about transportation on the ‘Map’ visit http://www.2040mchenrycountyplan.org.”

Among the information used to create the plan are the following population esxtimates:

McHenry County population projections to the year 2030.

If you are more comfortable with graphics that tables, below are maps of households per acre in 2006 and 2030.

Households per acre in McHenry County in 2006.

Both of these images may be enlarged by clicking on them.

Estimated McHenry County households per acre in 2030.

And how does the County Board spent and plan to spend your money between 2006 and 2030. Take a look below:

Proposed major road improvements from 2006-2030 are seen above.

This sign is in front of the Park & Ride lot in Genoa City, Wisconsin, just over the state line from Richmond.

The energy crisis hit us in 1975.

It was so intense that my constituents took after me while I filled my tank with gas at the station next to the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce building.

One of the obvious answers was carpooling.

But, where to park?

Nowhere in McHenry County.

For years as we went to Wisconsin on Route 12 I looked at the Park and Ride lot just over the state line in Genoa.

Now, 37 years later, the McHenry County Transportation Committee will consider a resolution to award a $99,597 contract with Civiltech Engineering for “construction management and inspection services.”

The regional planning agency (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) has been looking as such parking lots since 2007.

Construction is not contemplated until 2013.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds will pay for Civiltech’s services.

Highway workers patch Fleming Road.

Here’s what the recommendation for wages in the contract that is on the agenda toimposed on McHenry County Department of Transportation union employees at Tuesday’s Board meeting:

WAGES

1. Effective December 1, 2011, wage rates will increase by 2% (with retro pay).

2. Effective December 1, 2012, 2% or the wages covered by this Agreement shall increased by the percentage increase granted by the County Board per Resolution (generally at their October or November 2012 Board Meeting) for non-elected employees, whichever is greater.

3. Effective December 1, 2013, 2% or the wages covered by this Agreement shall increased by the percentage increase granted by the County Board per Resolution (generally at their October or November 2013 Board Meeting) for non-elected employees, whichever is greater.

Start rates:

• December 1, 2011 $18.25
• December 1, 2002 $18.50
• December 1, 2013 $18.75

Health benefit cost sharing will change, as you can see below:

The Employer and the active employees shall share the cost of health, dental, and vision
coverage as follows:

The employee share of the co-payments for PPO health benefits will increase from 10% to 15% starting in 2013. HMO cost sharing will also increase.

A press release from the McHenry County Department of Transportation:

A logo has been devised for Randally Road.

WHEN:          Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:       H.D. Jacobs High School Cafeteria, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive, Algonquin

The purpose of the public hearing is to present the preferred alternative for improvements to Randall Road. 

For more information on the Randall Road Improvements Study, visit the project website at www.randallroad.info.

Please join the MCDOT at the upcoming Public Hearing and help us “Get Randall Going!”  For more information on MCDOT and the role it serves, please visit www.mchenrycountydot.org. Connect with the Randall Road Improvements Study Facebook page at www.facebook.com/getrandallgoing.

 Project History

The Randall Road Improvements Study is a Phase I Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study for Randall Road between County Line Road and Ackman Road.

The project was initiated by McHenry County in the spring of 2007.

The purpose of the project is to identify transportation system improvements that will enhance mobility and local access while addressing safety issues, community values, and environmental impacts within the study area.

The Study incorporated an expanded Stakeholder Involvement Program based on the principles of a context sensitive solutions (CSS) approach. This approach is an enhanced process that McHenry County used to ultimately develop a transportation solution that best meets the stakeholders’ needs and goals.

The McHenry County Division of Transportation has held meetings with local agencies and stakeholders, as part of the study’s Community Advisory Council (CAC), to help define a Preferred Alternative for the Randall Road corridor through an extensive alternative evaluation process.

After three levels of evaluations, the four resulting alternatives were presented to the CAC for review and comment.

The four alternatives to meet these objectives were presented at a public meeting on September 23, 2008.

Further analyses were conducted to address public comments and refine the four alternatives to the Preferred Alternative.

The Preferred Alternative provides a comprehensive solution that addresses stakeholders’ needs and reduces vehicular delay throughout the corridor.

Improvements proposed as part of the Preferred Alternative will be presented at this upcoming Public Hearing.

In the early 1990s, Randall Road was designated as a Strategic Regional Arterial (SRA).

SRAs are a network of highways designed to accommodate long distance regional traffic, to complement a region’s major transit and highway facilities, and to supplement the freeway system.

Randall Road is a primary north-south arterial in southern McHenry County that many residents use for Interstate 90 (I-90) access through Kane County, since McHenry County does not have direct access to I-90.

Over the last five years numerous new developments along the Randall Road corridor have contributed to the congested traffic conditions that motorists are faced with today.

McHenry County Division of Transportation recognizes these conditions and began this study to address the situation.

The Fleming Road folks had yard signs throughout their campaign. And they periodically changed them.

A message from the Fleming Road Alliance about their McHenry County Board victory:

Dear Fleming Road Alliance Residents and Supporters:

Diane Evertsen

By now you probably have read the Herald article on the meeting yesterday, and received Diane Evertsen’s email thanking you for your participation in the email campaign to contact her.

Thanks to her vigilance at committee level, the county board convened this Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the proposed new Highway Improvement Plan (HIP). We packed the audience as well as Diane’s email box.

Overall the meeting was a success.

The county board members repeatedly took the Division of Transportation to task for not listening to their constituents.

Almost every county board member echoed the concerns of FRA and repeated the mantra “same footprint”.

Scott Breeden even added “and same profile” (same elevations) to the requirement.

Ersel Schuster

Although the Committee of the Whole does not have any decision making authority as a body, members clearly gave MCDOT direction to rethink their approach to Fleming Road and Alden Road.

Other issues in the 5-year highway Improvement Plan were also concerns to the county board members.

All in all, we believe they are taking a good look at what the county highway division is doing for the first time in a long time.

Saving the daffodils was emphasized.

It was particularly refreshing to hear Ersel Schuster comment on the need to reduce spending.

However, we cannot afford to relax and let down our guard.

We should be presented on January 18th with a revised HIP that includes changes to the Fleming Road plan.

MCDOT was clearly asked by Nick Provenzano, to present a plan that conforms to FRA requests so that cost and longevity can be compared to the four (yes four, and none of them acceptable) design plans already generated by the engineering firm TranSystems.

The County Board clearly told the County Transporation Department that they didn't want Fleming Road to be an eastern truck bypass of Woodstock.

This is the cost/benefit analysis that we have requested and been openly denied for the past two years.

We will remind you again about the meeting on the 18th. Please plan to attend. No need to speak, but the number of people in the audience in a show of unity is a very powerful influence. This is an election year. In the meantime, we will keep you posted if things come up.

Your Fleming Road Alliance steering committee thanks you for the great turnout, email deluge and heartfelt support you showed in the past week.

County board members in attendance at the COW meeting were:

Peschke, Provenzano, Jung, Heisler, Donner, Breeden, Bergan-Schmidt, Yensen, Evertsen, Hill, Merkel, Munaretto, Schuster, Wheeler, Nowak, McCann, Kurtz, Draffkorn, Miller, Koehler. The ones in bold have stepped up previously with written support letters for FRA.

Emily Berendt

Another email to the County Board, this time about “contractor discretion.”

To: Ken Koehler, Chair, McHenry County Board; County Board Members

From: Fleming Road Alliance

Re: Update on Fleming Road Alliance Position on Improvements for Fleming Road.

Dear County Board Representatives:

A county road crew patches the winter damage on Fleming Road.

Construction Destruction: It became very clear at the last CAG that tremendous destruction of the roadside and trees will occur under
Realigning the slopes in certain sections changes more than just the slope of the road.

Realigning the slopes in certain sections changes more than just the slope of the road.

It impacts the roadside slope as well.

This then requires more fill or grading, in turn damaging more trees and impacting the drainage (see Curb and Gutter, Ditching, Drainage).

In addition we have been informed that the contractor actually doing the work has a great deal of discretion as to how to “fix” what he may consider a problem.

Walter Dittrich said that the “contractor will do his best” and Jeff Young said that they will have to “massage the dirt.”

This is less than comforting, even with a MCDOT Construction Supervisor on the site.

We are aware of the problems in the past with

• Alden Bridge and
• Walkup Road

and are very concerned.

When asked why the slopes had to be realigned when there are no statistically supported safety concerns applicable, MCDOT cited “standards.”

As you know the trend today is to make the road fit the environment starting with Context Sensitive Solutions and ending with variances to the AASHTO Green Book as published by the FHA.

Again, application of variances is strongly requested.

Fleming Road Alliance Organizing Committee

Ed Bennett, Mary Moltman. Lisa Rhoades, Marti Jadd, Linda Ramsey, Stanley Jarosz, Phyllis Keinz, Kevin Keesee, Emily Berendt, Deb Staley, Bjorn Mattsson

Here’s an update from the McHenry County Department of Transportation:

County Road Construction Projects Update

Digging on Rakow Road

Rakow Road Reconstruction – April was a very rainy month, but noticeable progress was definitely made! Earthwork is progressing on the south portion of the project with storm sewers being installed from Virginia Road towards Illinois Route 31. Temporary pavement is proceeding on the north side in preparation for shifting traffic to the north to allow the southern half of the pavement to be constructed this year. Water main work has begun at Ackman Road. Utility relocations continue along the corridor and are anticipated to be complete in May. Temporary traffic signals were turned on at the Ackman, McHenry, Pyott and Virginia Road intersections. Signal timings are continuously being monitored and adjusted to maximize their benefits to traffic. We appreciate your patience and extra care in driving through the construction zones.

Sign up for email updates on www.RakowRoad.com or follow us on Twitter @RakowRoad.

Walkup Road Widening, Resurfacing and Multi-use Path Construction – Construction is resuming in full swing this week with Curb and Gutter being poured on the east side at Crystal Springs Road, concrete pathway being poured north of Hillside Road on the east side, paving of pavement widening starting later in the week, and installation of traffic signal equipment. Traffic flows will be interrupted intermittently throughout the week in the areas where crews are working. Please Drive Carefully and allow extra time to get through the construction zones. For more information and to sign up for email updates, visit www.WalkupRoad.info

Dunham Road Bridge Replacement – The last two weeks of weather have hurt progress as earthwork was not possible with all of the rain. However, the Contractor plans to gear up starting Tuesday to place Rip Rap, drive piling, and prepare to pour the west abutment. The project is scheduled for completion by June 24; however utility work did create about a delay which may extend the completion date.

Union Road Bridge Replacement – The Preconstruction meeting has been set by IDOT for May 13, 2011. Work is expected to start within two weeks of that date. The contract completion date for this work is September 30, 2011. There will be a marked Detour Route in effect for the duration of construction using IL 176, IL 23, US 20, West Union Road and North Union Road. The Detour Route and additional information will be available at www.McHerny CountyDOT.org in the near future.

County Pavement Preservation Projects – The County’s milling and resurfacing project is scheduled to start on May 16. The low bidder on this project was Arrow Road Construction Company. This project will provide a heavy mill and overlay on Maple Street, Cary-Algonquin Road and Roberts Road.

The County Crack Sealing project is scheduled to start in early May and will include routing and sealing of pavement cracks on Coral, Country Club, Lakewood, Ridgefield and Vermont Roads.

Three New Bridge Replacement Projects – On April 29, 2011 in Springfield, IL, bids were taken by the Illinois Department of Transportation on three McHenry County Bridge Replacement projects. Work is expected to start on all three later this summer and all are scheduled to be completed in 2011. They are the Lawrence Road bridge over Lawrence Creek just north of Oak Grove Road, the Dunham Road bridge over Rush Creek west of Illinois Route 23 in Dunham Township, and the Graf Road bridge over Lawrence Creek just north of Oak Grove Road in Chemung Township. The completion of these projects will eliminate three load posted bridges on the County and Township roadway systems.

Visit www.McHernyCountyDOT.org and check out the interactive Construction Map for the latest information or links to specific project.