McHenry County Blog

Route 31 and Brighton Lane in Crystal Lake.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Vehicle Crash Route 31 & Brighton Lane

On Thursday, May 16th, 2013 at 4:27 p.m., Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and Police Departments responded to a traffic crash at Route 31 and Brighton Lane.

Upon arrival emergency crews found that a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix had left the roadway and crashed into a NICOR Gas utility box located at the intersection of Rt. 31 and Brighton Lane.

Fire Rescue personnel transported the driver; sole occupant of the vehicle; Evan T. Hoeltje (21) of McHenry City to Northern Illinois Medical Center for evaluation and treatment for some minor injuries.

Because the vehicle had come to rest on top of a NICOR utility gas vault and because there was an odor of natural gas present, precautionary measures were taken and Route 31 was closed down for approximately 47 minutes.

NICOR and Com Ed were called to the scene and after conducting an inspection of their utilities, it was deemed safe and the vehicle was removed.

The driver reported as he was traveling north bound on Route 31, he experienced a failure with his vehicles braking system.

At that time the driver reported that he jumped from his moving vehicle, which veered off the road colliding into the NICOR utilities. Crystal Lake Police continue to investigate the cause.

At this time, no citations have been issued.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Four Car Crash Injures Two at Intersection of Route 176 and Route 31

On April 19th, 2013 at 2:55 PM, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded to the intersection of Illinois Rt. 31 and Illinois Rt. 176 for a report of a multi-vehicle crash.

Upon arrival crews determined four vehicles had been involved in a crash in the northbound lanes, on the north side of the intersection.

Paramedics transported two drivers to Centegra-Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry, one believed to have non life-threatening injuries, while the other was in critical condition.

Initial investigation into the cause of the crash revealed all four vehicles had been northbound on Rt. 31, in the inner lane, when three came to a stop due to traffic congestion.

The fourth vehicle collided with one of the vehicles, careened off and impacted a second, forcing that vehicle into the final vehicle involved.

East Terra Cotta Road is closed for reconstruction of the intersection of Routes 31 and 176.

Traffic was diverted from the area for approximately one hour as crews tended to the injured, conducted the on-scene investigation, and cleared the vehicles and debris from the roadway.

Crystal Lake Police continue to investigate this incident, including interviewing witnesses and all participants. No citations have been issued nor have any arrests occurred at this time.

The identity of the subjects involved is being withheld pending notification of family of those injured.

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Alert: Robbery suspect sought – Crystal Lake “Cash Store” 1125 S. Rt 31.

Crystal Lake Police are seeking information regarding a robbery that occurred at “The Cash Store”, 1125 South Rt.31. At 12:23 PM…

Subject described as

• an African-American male
• 35 years of age
• 6′ 02″
• 230 lbs
• wearing a gray pull-over hooded sweatshirt
• black knit mask
• black gloves
• carpenter style denim jeans
• tan work boots

committed a robbery, taking an undisclosed amount of cash.

No weapon was observed, however employees were threatened.

Subject may be driving a dark colored Dodge mini-van.

Instructions:
Anyone with information relating to this incident is urged to contact Crystal Lake Police at 815 356-3620 or their local law enforcement agency.

It’s not operated by steam anymore, but this type of equipment removing the embankment between Route 31 and the new Western Bypass will always be identified as a “steam shovel” in my mind.

If you take Route 31 south into Algonquin and look to the right, you’ll see earth moving equipment where the Western Bypass will take traffic down to Algonquin Road and around Downtown Algonquin.

A press release from the McHenry County Board:

Illinois Route 31 @ Virginia Road/Klasen Road Widening and Reconstruction Improvement; Completion of the final Stage III has occurred and the roadway is ready to be open to traffic.

[November 28, 2012 Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Cary, IL] The McHenry County Division of Transportation is announcing that the roadway construction on Illinois Route 31 at Virginia Road/Klasen Road has been completed and that all lanes of traffic will be open on Thursday, November 29th.

Motorists should expect a slight delay the day of the opening as the traffic signals get turned on.

There is a small amount of remaining work to be done after the 29th which will be done using daily lane closures. The lane closures are expected to last until the middle of December.

Construction on Route 31 and Klasen Road on the Saturday of Algonquin’s Founders Days Parade.

Upon completion, the Illinois Route 31 @ Virginia Road/Klasen Road Widening and Reconstruction Improvements will tie into the Western Algonquin Bypass Project, connecting a key corridor for the area.

The project along IL 31 has seen many improvements take place because of the construction this year.

Those include over a mile of new reconstructed concrete pavement with four lanes of traffic and dual left turn lanes at Virginia Road.

The realignment of Virginia Road also was completed with efforts to increase safety at the intersection of IL 31.

The Klasen Road and Virginia Road intersections at Illinois Route 31 received modernized traffic signals.

A new bike path was paved along the entire length of the east side of IL 31.

Over two and a half miles of new storm sewer has been installed to go together with the open-ditch storm water system.

The final landscaping for Illinois Route 31 will be completed in the Spring of 2013. This work will take place under daily lane closures and may also include some small punch-list items.

The McHenry County Division of Transportation would like to thank you for your patience this past year while the project was being constructed.

A press release from Congressman Don Manzullo:

FINALLY!
Manzullo, Durbin Hail Start of Algonquin Western Bypass Project

McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler is at the microphone praising Congressman Don Manzullo and Senator Dick Durbin for their roles in obtaining Federal money to help finance the Western Bypass of the intersection of Routes 31 and 62.  IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider stands between Koehler and Durbin.

[ALGONQUIN] U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said the strong resolve of local officials, business leaders and frustrated motorists led to today’s groundbreaking ceremony for the most awaited road construction project in McHenry County history – the $80 million Western Bypass in Algonquin.

Congressman Don Manzullo stands in front of the re-landscaped hill on the north side of Algonquin Road between the “S” curve and the Post Office.

On the books for decades, the project to solve gridlock at Routes 31 and 62 in downtown Algonquin broke ground today amid fanfare and the relief that the long-delayed project will finally be built.

Algonquin Village President John Schmitt is flanked by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin on the left and Congressman Don Manzullo on the right. Schmitt’s political career started with his opposition to the Northern Bypass pushed by McHenry County’s Establishment. He lived near the designated Right-of-Way east of the Fox River then. Schmitt has since moved west of the river. If anyone needs an example of how a neighborhood uprising can change public policy, how this bypass ended up where it is would be perfect.

The project received two large infusions of federal funding over the years.

Golden shovel folks include, from left to right, State Senator Pam Althoff, Illinois Department of Transporation Secretary Ann Schneider, Congressman Don Manzullo, Algonquin Village President John Schmitt, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler and Joyce Dwyer.

Manzullo secured $9 million in the 1998 federal transportation bill, TEA-21, and Durbin and Manzullo worked together to secure $10 million in the 2005 federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU.

Manzullo thanked U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, State Senator Pam Althoff, State Rep. Mike Tryon, County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, Algonquin Mayor John Schmitt, the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, and others for their determination to get the Western Bypass approved and funded.

Manzullo also thanked the “Road Warriors,” the conglomeration of local political, business and community groups that came together to lobby the State of Illinois for McHenry County’s fair share of road construction dollars in 2007 after Gov. Blagojevich stripped all the previously approved Western Bypass money from the state’s road construction plan.

“Finally! Due to a lot of hard work for many years by all the people here today, McHenry County motorists will soon experience relief from the horrific gridlock that has plagued the corner of Routes 31 and 62 in downtown Algonquin for decades,” Manzullo said.

“This project has long been my number one priority for McHenry County, and I’m excited to see it finally fulfilled. I only wish my good friend, the late Bill Dwyer who did so much to bring us to this day, could be with us to celebrate.”

Durbin added, “As the east-west gateway to McHenry County, the Route 31-Route 62 intersection has a well-deserved reputation as the most congested intersection in the region.

“It’s been that way for more than 20 years and the county’s population continues to grow.

“The Bypass will go a long way toward alleviating the traffic congestion that has restricted access to the businesses and shops in Algonquin’s Old Town District. As everyone gathered here today knows, this project has seen a lot of ups and downs over the years.

After the ceremony Congressman Don Manzullo chats with District 2 McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz and Recorder of Deeds Phyllis Walters.

“I offer a special salute to Rep. Manzullo for his determination over the course of 15 years to make this project a reality.

“I was happy to help along the way and am excited to be here today as we kick off a project that has been talked about since 1952.”

The new bypass road will start at Route 31 south of Virginia Road in Crystal Lake, veer southwest into the gravel pit, cross over Algonquin Road near the Algonquin post office, veer southeast and connect back with Route 31 near Huntington Drive.

It will remove the majority of north-south traffic from the Route 31-Route 62 intersection, allowing officials to double-time the traffic signals at the intersection to significantly improve east-west traffic flow on Route 62 and eliminate the mile-long backups motorists face during rush hour.

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Photos provided by Congressman Manzullo’s office.

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.

A press release from McHenry County:

Illinois Route 31 @ Virginia Road/Klasen Road Widening and Reconstruction Improvement begins April 16, 2012

Looking north on Route 31 at the Klasen Road intersection. Note the pre-primary election campaign signs. One wonders if campaigning is allowed on a web site such as this.

Algonquin-Lake in the Hill-Cary, IL – The McHenry County Division of Transportation is announcing that roadway construction on Illinois Route 31 at Virginia Road/Klasen Road will begin with preliminary work the week of April 16th.

Full reconstruction work with staged traffic control will begin in early May.

For the first stage of construction, one travel lane in each direction will be open for motorists on the existing west side of Illinois Route 31 while the new northbound lanes are constructed.

Virginia Street Road used to almost meet Route 31 right across from Klasen Road as you can see from the tree line in the aerial photo below. It was re-configured to make it safer.

The second stage will shift traffic onto the new northbound lanes while the southbound lanes are then built.

The third stage will see traffic traveling on the outside of the new lanes as the median work is accomplished.

You can see the Virginia Street Road intersection with Route 31 from the north here.

All work is anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2013.

Here's the plan for the project. Click to enlarge.

The improvements for Illinois Route 31 @ Virginia Road/Klasen Road Widening and Reconstruction include:

• Illinois Route 31 will be widened and reconstructed to provide 2 through lanes in each direction and dedicated left and right turn lanes at the Virginia Road and Klasen Road intersections.
• Realignment of the Virginia Road intersection to the north to improve safety
• New turn lanes on Virginia Road and Klasen Road at their intersections with Illinois Route 31
• Modernized traffic signals at both the Klasen Road and Virginia Road intersections

This approximately $8,500,000 improvement project is being funded in part by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Transportation Bill SAFETEA-LU.

A large new pipe was laid along Route 31 next to the gravel pit on the east side of the road where the last man in McHenry County to use horses, instead of a tractor, farmed.

Utility relocation work is underway now and will wrap up as the roadway work gets started.

A construction informational meeting will be held this Spring to outline the project in greater detail and inform local residents and business owners of the construction schedule, plans, and how they can stay informed during construction.

Visit the project website at www.IL31Virginia.com, for project information and to sign up to receive emails for the latest project updates.
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Discovered later is that the project will cost approximately $8,500,000 and is being paid for by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Transportation Bill SAFETEA-LU.
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Images are from the web site above.  Civiltech Engineering is in charge of the project.

I’ve been wondering why the Algonquin By-Pass  is proceeding so slowly.

Now that the Roadhouse (2011 photo) has been torn down on the northern side of Algonquin Raod, there's enough rorom there for the Western Bypass of Downtown Algonquin.

Wish I could remember where I read that the Illinois Department of Transportation now has concluded it needs part of the Algonquin Post Office property.

Regardless, I decided to ask the Postal System for its viewpoint.

Here’s Bradford W. Meador Manager, Property Management, Great Lakes Facilities Service Office, wrote me (formatting by me):

“The IDOT proposal for both

• permanent taking, permanent easement and t
• emporary easement

of the postal service site are of concern to the postal service.

“At the moment, clarification is needed from IDOT as to why a permanent easement of almost one acre is needed for a portion of the site to the rear.  T

“The permanent taking which is in two locations of the postal service site is understood but not necessarily acceptable.

“One area of permanent taking in the rear of the site precludes any opportunity for parking expansion in the future for postal vehicles.

“The portion of the permanent taking with frontage on Route 62 removes the ability for customers and carriers to make a left turn on to Route 62 since a median is proposed.

“However, there is currently an ingress curb cut on the west end of the postal service site that will be retained and allow left turns on to Route 62 after the current customer parking is changed to 90 degree parking from angled parking.

“The current angled customer parking routes customers to the east egress point.

“Thus, left turns on to Route 62 will be one location rather than two which may create a longer exit time and potential safety issues for customers and postal vehicles.

“The temporary easement for five years is for most of the customer parking in the front of the Main Post Office which will create a challenge for customer parking during those five years.

“The next step in this process will be to clarify these concerns to IDOT and meet to resolve how to move forward since IDOT can not apply condemnation rights against the U S Postal Service.”

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department:

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash June 27th, 2011

Route 31 and Three Oaks Road

On Monday, June 27th, 2011 at 7:32 PM, Crystal Lake Police and the Crystal Lake Fire Department responded to the intersection of Route 31 at Three Oaks Road for a report of a traffic crash.

Responding units located the crash, which involved three vehicles.

Fire Rescue personnel tended to the occupants of the vehicles, subsequently transporting two subjects for injuries sustained, although none were believed to have been life-threatening.

Police personnel investigated the crash, and determined that a 2004 Toyota Camry, driven by Rosemarie Van Horn, (47) of 422 Ash Fork Trail, Cary, IL had been travelling southbound on Route 31 at Three Oaks Road.

Travelling northbound Route 31 at Three Oaks Road was a 1997 Nissan Maxima, driven by a seventeen year old juvenile from Crystal Lake, IL along with a juvenile passenger.

Stopped westbound on Three Oaks Road at Route 31 was a 2006 Dodge Durango, driven by Nancy Herbster (45) of 433 Conestoga, Cary, IL with an adult passenger.

As the Toyota Camry and Nissan Maxima approached the intersection, the southbound Toyota Camry turned left, and collided with the northbound Nissan Maxima.

The initial impact of the collision caused the Nissan Maxima to make contact with the Dodge Durango.

Rosemarie Van Horn was transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry IL for evaluation and treatment.

The juvenile passenger of the Nissan Maxima was transported to Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington IL.

The seventeen year old driver of the Nissan Maxima was not injured. Nancy Herbster and her passenger were not injured.

The roadway was returned to an unrestricted status by 8:20 P.M. Rosemarie Van Horn was issued a traffic citation for Failure to Yield, vehicle turning left. This incident remains a pending investigation.