McHenry County Blog

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.

I’m told that cars were lined up on the side of Rakow Road west of Route 31 being ticketed for drivers using cell phones while a sign on the side of the road says no cell phones should be used.

Wish I could have gotten a picture of it, but a friend of McHenry County Blog said there were a lot of folks pulled over.

Most people don’t know that Lake in the Hills goes up on Pyott Road north of Rakow Road.

Traffic stop on Rakow Road by Lake in the Hills Police.

I was reminded of that when Joe Alger, President of JA Frate, told of having to put up “a big berm and a forest of trees” in order to use the property just to the north of his company’s property on Pyott Road. He had to deal with Crystal Lake officials.

The northern boundary of Lake in the Hills.

So, I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised Lake in the Hills Police would be tracking the speed of vehicles on Rakow Road south of JA Frate.

Crystal Lake is not known as a speed trap.

Don’t know if the traffic stop above is an indication of a Lake in the Hills revenue stream to come, but it might be.

The McHenry County Board lists ten 2011 accomplishments in a newsletter issued today:

10 Notable Accomplishments

County Finances Remain Solid

McHenry County maintains a consistently conservative approach to budgeting that earned an Aaa rating and again the FY12 Budget on was built upon prudent revenue estimates. The McHenry County Board adopted a $254,177,214 budget for Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12), which began on December 1, 2011. The increase in the FY12 Budget can be primarily attributed to the County’s plans to retire early the remaining debt that was issued to construct the County’s nursing home, Valley Hi. The County budget also projected to realize a $1.5 million increase in health insurance costs in FY12, and to expand $1.4 million more than in FY11 on transportation projects in FY12.

In developing the FY12 Budget, the County is responding to the continued weak revenue environment with corresponding controls on expenses. There were no dramatic cuts to services, but again were cuts in almost all areas of County Government. The FY12 Budget responded to the State awarding two new judges beginning in December by providing the necessary new staff that will accompany the new judges. Finally, there are approximately 50 fewer positions that were funded in the FY12 Budget than were funded just three years ago in FY09.

Looking east from Pingree Road onto Rakow Road in December.

Rakow Road

Rakow Road construction started on March 1, 2011 and has a projected completion date of fall 2012. The interim completion date of November 30, 2011 was hit with seven days to spare with all traffic switched to the newly completed eastbound lanes on November 23 for the winter shutdown. Following the stage shift, great progress was made as earthwork and the new gravel base was completed for the majority of the westbound lanes to be constructed next year. Underground work, the pedestrian bridge, and the noise wall construction will continue into January, putting the project in a very good position for an earlier completion in 2012. Follow the Rakow Road Project on Twitter @RakowRoad or sign up for email updates on the website: www.RakowRoad.com.

Water Resources Management Plan

The County Board adopted the Water Resources Action Plan on October 18, 2011. The Water Resources Division staff and the Ground Water Taskforce and Sub-Committees continue promoting implementation of the plan and review emerging water resource topics such as regulating PAH-containing seal-coating materials and establishing regulated recharge areas.

Unified Development Ordinance

The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) project is progressing. Planning & Development staff received the first draft UDO document from the vendor drafting the ordinance on December 15th.

Courthouse Construction

The construction project inside the McHenry County Government Center is essentially complete. In addition to the construction of Courtroom 104, two judge’s chambers and the construction of a holding cell, there have been numerous updates to other areas including the replacement of the tile in the first floor public hallway, along with new carpeting and fresh paint. Courtroom 101 has been configured for juvenile court use which includes a waiting area for the specific use of juveniles, family members and their attorneys.

Valley HI

Valley Hi Nursing Home Expenses

The Valley Hi Nursing Home revenues over expenses continued to track well for FY11. Though the month of October, the operating income before depreciation was $150,541 for the fiscal year. This has been significantly impacted by the increase in the average daily Medicare short-term rehab census which continues to show a strong trending toward an average 20 Medicare A daily census.

Twenty Second Judicial Circuit Drug Court

The Twenty Second Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program convened its first session on December 1, 2011. The Program received funding from the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance FY11 Adult Drug Court Discretionary: Implementation Grant Program to fund the program for a period of three years. The grant was awarded by competitive process to jurisdictions which have completed a substantial amount of planning and are ready to implement an evidence-based adult drug court program. The program targets individuals who have a high risk of committing new offenses and a high need for treatment and other services to address the participant’s individual issues.

2011 McHenry County Labor Report

The McHenry County Workforce Investment Board, Workforce Network, and Economic Development Corporation released the 2011 McHenry County Labor Report. The following report contains a current, year-to-date snapshot of McHenry County’s labor force, industries, occupations, economic base, unemployment data and future areas of expected growth.

EMA Coordinating Council

The McHenry County Emergency Management Coordinating Council has met with success in its opening months. The Council will serve in a coordinating role for State, township, municipal, and County functions to pool their collective knowledge to support preparation and mitigation efforts. This coordination will lead to more efficient and cooperative resource management during emergencies and disasters throughout the County.

Mental Health Board

The McHenry County Mental Health Board facility expansion project added 22,000 square feet to its current space. The Mental Health Board will host a formal community open house in spring 2011.

As you might imagine, the SUV won.

Considering how relatively small motorcycles are, my guess is that it’s usually four-wheeled vehicles that hit the two-wheeled ones.

Here’s a press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department about the crash:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash

Motorcyclists follow the same laws as motorists.

On Monday, May 16, 2011 Emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Crystal Lake Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Pyott Road near Rakow Road, involving a motorcycle and a sports utility vehicle.

Upon arrival crews determined that a 1994 Honda Goldwing motorcycle, operated by Paul Ruge (57) of Bloomingdale, IL had collided with a 1998 Ford Explorer, driven by Danielle Hoeck (30) of Algonquin, IL.

A subsequent investigation revealed the Ford Explorer came to a stop on Pyott Road, southbound at the intersection of Rakow Road for a red traffic control light, when it was struck from behind by the motorcycle.

The rider, Paul Ruge, was examined by Crystal Lake paramedics, and declined emergency transport. Danielle Hoeck was not injured.

Ruge was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Collision, and was released from the scene.

Traffic was diverted from the southbound lanes for approximately 30 minutes as crews assessed the drivers, and removed the damaged vehicles and debris.

It snowed the day the ground breaking was first scheduled for the widening of Rakow Road.  (And, it’s pronounced with a long “a,” not a short one, as McHenry County Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters, widow of James R. Rakow, stressed.)

Sewer pipes are line up along Rakow Road.

The road builders didn’t wait for the official ceremony.  Construction is underway.

Wednesday morning it was drizzling.

Some of those who could not squeeze into the economy-sized tent stood under umbrellas. Some of those wearing bright yellow bared their head to the elements, however.

But McHenry County officials arranged for a tent where the dignitaries could come out of the rain.

Anna May Miller introduces J.R. Rakow's widow, Phyllis Walters.

McHenry County Board Transportation Committee Chairwoman Anna May Miller was the lead-off speaker.

She made reference to plans to add a bike path, which were not included in the plans that went out for bid, before introducing Phyllis Walters.

Phyllis Walters

Walters delighted in telling stories about her husband, whom she called “J.R.”

She told how surprised and please he was then County Board Chairwoman Dianne Klemm announced the road would be named in his honor at his retirement party.

Rakow decided to retire because he thought that someone more conversant with computers should head the department.  The next day, he started to work for John Smith Engineering with the promise that he would not have to deal with computers.

Whenever Rakow and his wife drove somewhere in the county, they would take county roads.

Here's a sign Phyllis Walters wouldn't have to get a ladder to alter.

The reason?

So Rakow could see if bushes needed to be cut, signs replaced, pot holes repaired.

Walters delights in telling people who use a short “a” when they say the road’s name that the correction pronunciation is with a long “a.”

She told how she kidded her husband of getting up on a ladder some night to change the “James R.” to “Phyllis.”

“No.  That’s my road,” he would reply.

And it was “my boys” about whom he worried when it snowed.  Walters said he would have on the radio listening for problems and, sometimes, would drive to the Highway Department headquarters just in case he might be needed.

Ken Koehler

County Board Chairman Ken Koehler told those gathered that Rakow Road was one of the reasons he got involved in politics.

He couldn’t understand why four lanes were not being built from the beginning.

“Money” was the answer that his friend Mike Tryon, then a County Board member, told him.

The project started out with an estimated cost of $12-15 million.  Now it’s pegged at $26 million, Koehler said.

The Western Bypass has gone from $30 to $66 million.

A former member of the McHenry County Conservation District Board, Koehler was pleased that a bicycle overpass will be built as part of the Rakow Road improvement project.

Don Manzullo

Koehler introduced Congressman Don Manzullo, mentioning that part of the money he earmarked for the project was from the Stimulus Program.

Manzullo immediately corrected him.

“It’s not stimulus money,” he stressed.

Manzullo told of his first meeting with Rakow.

“We need roads, roads, roads,” the County Engineer told him.

“I think you need roads,” Manzullo said he replied.

“Many of the counties in our district are losing population,” the Congressman whose district stretches to the Mississippi River told the gathering.

“They would do anything to get traffic congestion.”

Speakers at the ground breaking of the widening of Rakow Road are, from left to right, Phyllis Walters, Ken Koehler, Anna May Miller and Don Manzullo.

Manzullo pointed out that having “everyone on the same page” when roads were discussed was quite helpful in his obtaining $14 million for the Western Bypass and $7 million for widening Route 47 through Huntley.

He also expressed pleasure at having figured out he could funnel Federal dollars through county government, rather than having to deal with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Reflecting on his budget earmarks, he said people call him the “poop and pavement congressman.”

Also given credit was former County Board member Dan Shea, who served as Chairman of the Transportation Committee prior to Miller.

Dignitaries pretending to dig. From left to right are Congressman Don Manzullo, District 5 County Board member Paula Yensen, Phyllis Walters, District 1 County Board member Anna May Miller, former District 1 County Board member Dan Shea, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and District 2 County Board member Jim Heisler.

After the speeches, shiny shovels were handed out and a bit of gravel dumped next to the tent was lifted for pictures.

The handout for the event is below:

Click to enlarge.

The following press release from the Crystal Lake Police explains the extra police presence in Crystal Lake the first night of the Labor Day Weekend:

During the late evening hours of Friday, September 3rd to the early morning hours of Saturday, September 4, 2010, a roadside safety check was conducted in the City of Crystal Lake.

In this joint effort, officers from the

• Crystal Lake Police Department,
• Crystal Lake Park District Police, and
• the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department

stopped predetermined groups of vehicles traveling north on Illinois Route 31 near Rakow Road, checking for impaired or dangerous drivers.

A total of forty-eight (48) citations/complaints were generated during the five hour operation.

Of the citations/arrests made;

• four (4) subjects were arrested for Driving While under the Influence of Alcohol,
• three (3) for No Valid Driver’s License,
• one (1) for Driving While License Revoked, and
• Fifteen (15) for Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle.

In addition,

• four (4) complaints were drafted for Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and
• two (2) for Unlawful Possession of Cannabis.

Events such as these prove to highlight the overwhelming need to remain vigilant with regard to traffic enforcement, in an effort to ensure the safety of the motoring public. The Crystal Lake Police Department is committed to promoting safe driving habits, and the apprehension of impaired or dangerous drivers.

Roadside safety checks, saturation patrols, and cooperative efforts such as this event further that endeavor, and will be repeated year-round.

This roadside safety check was paid for with a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

And, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day story. Rather it is a press release from the McHenry County Transportation Department:

Highway improvements scheduled by the McHenry County Transportation Department this year. (Click to enlarge.)

The McHenry County Division of Transportation is proud to announce the 2010 interactive construction map at  mchenrycountydot.org.

The key to map.

This map will allow the public user to see at a glance all of the County construction project locations, as well as more detailed project information on any particular project. This can be done by clicking on the identify (i) icon and then clicking on the highlighted portion of the roadway. If more detailed information is desired, contact information is included for your use. This map was produced through the assistance of the County’s Geographical Information System (GIS) Department.

Construction Projects

Kishwaukee Valley Road Bridge Replacement

This project will replace the bridge originally constructed in 1953 with a two-span prestressed concrete 36-inch deep I-beam bridge, with a poured in-place 8-inch thick concrete deck, spanning 123-feet in length. It includes approach pavement, milling and resurfacing, shoulder widening and guardrail placement.

Kishwaukee Valley Road was closed to thru traffic starting on February 1, 2010 between Hughes Road and Menge Road. Access up to the bridge is maintained for local traffic only. A marked detour is provided using Hughes Road, U.S. Route 14, Dunham Road and Menge Road. (click here for the detour map).

This project is scheduled to be completed approximately June 12, 2010.

Alden Road Bridge Replacement and Roadway Improvements

This project will replace the existing bridge built in 1939, with a 58-foot long by 40-foot wide, single-span poured in-place concrete bridge deck, on seven, 36-inch deep precast prestressed concrete I-beams.

This project also includes complete pavement and drainage feature reconstruction from about 600 feet south of Illinois Route 173 to about 1,800 feet north of Illinois route 173. Driveways and sidewalks within the project limits will be replaced and a new drainage system will be installed throughout. Along with the new pavement, curb & gutter will be provided to improve drainage. Two special Stormwater Treatment Structures will be installed before stormwater enters the creek to protect water quality.

The Project will be built using stage construction (one side at a time) and will require a temporary traffic signal to limit the bridge to one-way traffic for the duration of the project. Two-way traffic will be maintained on the roadway portion using temporary pavement.

Work on the project started approximately February 22, 2010 and the project has an October 31, 2010 completion date.

Virginia Road Reconstruction

This project will reconstruct Virginia Road between Rakow Road and Illinois Route 31, with the exception of the new pavement recently constructed in connection with the Waste Transfer Facility, and the intersection at Illinois Route 31, which will be done as a separate future project.

This project will be constructed using Stage construction, maintaining one–way traffic southeast bound only (Rakow Road to Illinois Route 31) for the duration of the construction. Northwest bound traffic will be detoured on Illinois Route 31 to the north and then west on Rakow Road back to Virginia Road.

The contractor plans to start work around April 19, 2010 and the project completion date is July 2, 2010.

Walkup Road Widening, Resurfacing and Shared-use Path Construction

This project will provide pavement widening to extend the three-lane section of pavement from Dvorak Drive through Crystal Springs Road, add traffic signals at Pleasant Hill Road, Edgewood Road and Crystal Springs Road, add right and left turn lanes at intersections, and resurface the roadway in this area. In addition, a shared-use path will be constructed between Veteran Acres Park and Pleasant Hill Road on the east side of the roadway to enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists in the area.

Beginning in December 2009, public utility relocation work was started with the intent to move existing utilities out of conflict with the new roadway, path and storm sewers prior to construction to avoid delays. The contractor is expected to start construction around May 1, 2010 and project completion is expected in the summer of 2011.

Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout utilizing stage construction with daily or periodic lane closures as required using flaggers. This work will create delays and traffic disruption at times.

Federal Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) funds will pay for 80% of the design and construction of this project and the 20% local match will use McHenry County Division of Transportation funds.

A project website (www.walkuproad.info) will be available to ask questions, get project updates, and obtain project information.

Rakow Road Widening, Relocation & Reconstruction

This project is currently in the Land Acquisition and Final Design stages. A summer 2010 letting is desired but is dependent upon the completion of the needed right-of-way purchases. It is anticipated that two construction seasons will be necessary to complete this project which is estimated to cost approximately 30 million dollars.

This project will relocate Rakow Road to the east of it’s current alignment starting at McHenry Avenue to soften the curve to the north and east.

It will also provide three thru-lanes of traffic in each direction from Ackman Road to Pyott Road, and dual left-turn lanes at Ackman Road, McHenry Avenue, Pyott Road, Pingree Road and Illinois Route 31.

Two thru-lanes in each direction will be constructed from Pyott Road to Illinois Route 31, and a pedestrian/bike path bridge will be constructed over Rakow Road for the McHenry County Conservation District’s Prairie Trail Path. Public Utility coordination is currently underway.

A project website will be available in the future to ask questions, get project updates, and obtain project information.

Pavement Preservation Projects

County Paving (Milling and Resurfacing) Project

This project includes milling and resurfacing on various County Highways as highlighted on the map in green. The project includes milling to a depth of 3.75” and patching any deteriorated pavement as needed. Then priming and placing a 2.25” lift of Binder Course followed by a 1.5” lift of Surface Course. Shoulder gravel will be added and thermoplastic pavement markings will be placed. The milled pavement material (RAP) is all recycled and re-used as aggregates in the new Hot Mix Asphalt.

The roads to be resurfaced under this project include:

• Nelson and Deep Cut Roads between U.S. Route 14 and Charles/Alden Road
• Hartland Road from U.S. Route 14 to Nelson Road
• Hobe Road from South Street to Kishwaukee Valley Road
• River Road between Illinois Route 176 and Lily Lake Road
• Ramer Road from Oak Grove Road to Lawrence Road
• Oak Grove Road from Illinois Route 173 to Ramer Road
• Charles Road, a short repair section just west of Illinois Route 47

This project will resurface 20 lane miles of roadway at a bid cost of $2,560,270.95.

Work on this project is expected to start about May 31, 2010 and has a contract completion date of August 6, 2010. The impact to traffic will be daily lane closures in the immediate work area using flaggers to control one-way traffic thru the work zone. These temporary lane closures will take place throughout the various stages of the project and should generally minimize delays to a short duration.

Chapel Hill Road Resurfacing (ARRA Project)

These signs will pop up on Chapel Hill Road. This one is on Route 14 in Crystal Lake near The Freeze.

This project is funded through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will mill and resurface four sections of Chapel Hill Road that fall between previous intersection improvements. The actual project length is a total of approximately 1.9 miles between Miller Road and Johnsburg Road at a bid cost of $568,605.96.

Work on this project is expected to start around June 1, 2010 and has a 25 working day duration or five to six weeks to complete. This work will essentially be the same as described above for milling and resurfacing in terms of work methods and traffic impacts.

Crack Sealing Contract

This project includes routing and sealing cracks in the pavement using a hot applied rubberized filler material. This work is done to extend the life of newer pavements by minimizing the water intrusion into the pavement and base material, thus lessening the severity of the effects of freeze-thaw cycles.

Crack sealing will be done on the following roads in 2010:

• Kishwaukee Valley Road from the west County Line to U.S. Route 14
• Vermont Road between Garden Valley Road and Kishwaukee Valley Road
• Coral Road from Illinois Route 23 to South Union Road
• Hunter Road from County Line Road to White Oaks Road
• White Oaks Road between Illinois Route 173 and Hunter Road

If quantity remains in the contract after completion of those routes, Genoa Road and Harmony Road east of U.S. Route 20 will be treated to the extent possible.

This contract will crack seal about 42 lane miles of County Highways at a total bid cost of $125,211.06. The impact to traffic will be daily lane closures in the immediate work area using flaggers to control one-way traffic thru the moving work zone, and traffic delays should be minimal.

Microsurfacing Project

The 2010 project is still under development as the McHenry County Division of Transportation is working to create new mix designs using a more durable aggregate material than what is currently readily available locally. The project is anticipated to be ready for bidding in May with construction taking place later in the summer.

The road planned for this year is Charles Road from Nelson Road to Illinois Route 120. This includes about 8 lane miles of roadway at an estimated cost of $250,000. The 2009 microsurfacing project was not completed last year, but should be completed by the contractor in May, which includes work on Roberts Road and Altenberg Road.

The traffic impact of the microsurfacing work is more severe than paving due to the fact that the cure time of the microsurface material ranges from 30 to 90 minutes. Traffic must be kept off of the material during this time, creating long stretches of single-lane closures for the duration of curing time. Efforts will be made to minimize delays but due to the nature of the work, delays encountered could be significant.

Website Updates

Please visit our website at www.mchenrycountydot.org for periodic updates and for newly launched project specific websites.

Remember – Please drive safely in construction zones and watch out for workers!!

The following press release from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) announces three quarters of a million dollars for the Rakow Road expansion project.

Manzullo Secures Another $750,000 for Rakow Road Widening Project in McHenry County

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today announced he has secured another $750,000 to help fund the vital Rakow Road widening project that will help reduce severe traffic congestion for tens of thousands of motorists in southeast McHenry County.

The funding is included in the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which Congress is scheduled to approve in the next two weeks before sending it to the President for his signature.
This is the third time Manzullo has secured federal funds for the major project. In 2005, Manzullo secured $5.72 million in the long-range federal transportation bill for the Rakow Road widening project. He secured another $570,000 in last year’s Transportation Appropriations bill for Rakow Road.

“Rakow Road is a significant regional arterial road that carries tens of thousands of McHenry County residents to work and school each day,” Manzullo said. “The widening project will double capacity on Rakow Road and reduce the significant congestion motorists experience each day. Reducing traffic congestion continues to be my number one priority for the people of McHenry County.”

The 3-mile-long widening project calls for widening the two-lane Rakow Road to six lanes from Ackman Road to Pyott Road and to four lanes from Pyott Road to Route 31. Up to 40,000 motorists currently travel Rakow Road each day and up to 60,000 are expected to travel the road by 2030.

McHenry County transportation officials are proceeding with Phase II engineering, which involves acquiring needed land and drawing contract plans for the project, and are hoping to begin construction in 2010.

In addition to Rakow Road, Manzullo has secured significant federal funding for the Western Bypass of Algonquin ($19 million) and the Route 47 widening project through Huntley ($6.7 million). Construction on both of those projects is scheduled to begin within the next year or two.

A press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo announcing an addition half million to improve Randall Road.

Patrick Engineering men were out surveying it today, probably just a coincidence.

Manzullo’s press release follows:

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today announced he has secured another $570,000 to help fund the vital Rakow Road widening project that will help reduce severe traffic congestion for tens of thousands of motorists in southeast McHenry County.

The funding is included in the transportation appropriations bill, which Congress is scheduled to consider later this week. In 2005, Manzullo secured $5.72 million in the long-range federal transportation bill for the Rakow Road widening project.

“Rakow Road is a significant regional arterial road that carries tens of thousands of McHenry County residents to work and school each day,” Manzullo said.

“The widening project will double capacity on Rakow Road and reduce the significant congestion motorists experience each day.

“Reducing traffic congestion continues to be my number one priority for the people of McHenry County.”

The 3-mile-long widening project calls for widening the two-lane Rakow Road to six lanes from Ackman Road to Pyott Road and to four lanes from Pyott Road to Route 31. Up to 40,000 motorists currently travel Rakow Road each day and up to 60,000 are expected to travel the road by 2030.

McHenry County transportation officials are proceeding with Phase II engineering, which involves acquiring needed land and drawing contract plans for the project. Construction could begin in 2010.

In addition to Rakow Road, Manzullo has secured significant federal funding for the Western Bypass of Algonquin ($19 million) and the Route 47 widening project through Huntley ($6.7 million).

In addition, he worked with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barack Obama (D-IL), and the entire Illinois Congressional Delegation to secure an additional $6.2 billion in federal road funds in 2005 for the State of Illinois. Those federal funds have sat unused as the Governor and state legislative leaders have failed to agree on a capital plan.

= = = = =
Rakow Road will be widened to six lanes where the “S” curve now goes from four to two lanes. Beyond Pyott Road, the first light after the “S” curve–between the gravel pit lakes–will become four lanes. The bottom picture shows this road near Pingree Road. The head shot is of Congressman Don Manzullo.