The Plank Road realignment in Burlington was a long time coming, but the accolades for the project continue to roll in.

Kane County announced Tuesday that its Division of Transportation received the 2015 “Public Works Project of the Year Award” for projects under $5 million from the American Public Works Association, Fox Valley Branch for the Plank Road realignment in the village of Burlington.

This award was established to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer, and the contractor who work together to complete public works projects.

The Plank Road realignment represents decades of planning, studying and engineering of a long-awaited roadway improvement that provides a new safer signalized intersection, improved traffic flow, offers economic development opportunities and improves quality of life. The project realigned and reconstructed Plank Road from an existing offset alignment interrupted by two stop controlled “T” intersections at Burlington Road, to a proposed uninterrupted alignment with a new signalized intersection at Burlington Road. The project also delivers enhanced stormwater features and provides new public green space.

The improvement was a high priority for the village of Burlington, which played an important role in securing much of the necessary right-of-way for the realignment.

“This project will remove the jog created 163 years ago, return East Plank Road to the quiet neighborhood street it once was, provide a safe thoroughfare for travelers on Plank Road, especially at its intersection with Main Street, and create economic development opportunities that will benefit both Burlington and Kane County,” said village of Burlington President Bob Walsh at the project’s groundbreaking ceremony.

Another element of the project was that at a final cost of $4,407,181, 5 percent lower than the project bid, which is unusual for roadway projects. It is also expected to reduce crashes by two-thirds.

“This is an accomplishment that we are all thankful for” commented Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen. “The Plank Road realignment presents a drastically positive improvement for the motoring public, and offers a great example of public funds well spent.”

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