2014 brought progress toward many important transportation efforts in Kane County. Here’s a look back at what was accomplished in the past year as well as what lies ahead for Kane County transportation in 2015.

Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor

What Happened in 2014

The Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor came closer to reality with a $40 million commitment from the state of Illinois, an additional $2.5 million in federal Surface Transportation Program funds and nearly $1 million in federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program funds.

The estimated $100 million bridge corridor is planned as a four-lane Fox River bridge crossing and roadway corridor, approximately 5.6 miles in length, from Huntley Road to IL Route 62. Completion of this corridor will provide another vital Fox River crossing in the upper Fox River valley.

Looking Forward to 2015

Exciting for 2015, is the anticipated start of construction for the first stage of the project, which includes widening, intersection improvements and a multi-use path from Huntley Road to Randall Road.

Plank Road Realignment

Plank Road Realignment groundbreaking.

What Happened in 2014

The Plank Road realignment improvement celebrated a long awaited groundbreaking ceremony in August 2014. The project will realign and reconstruct Plank Road from an existing offset alignment to an uninterrupted alignment with a new signalized intersection at Burlington Road.

The project’s planning and engineering efforts spanned decades, and its construction initiation was a highly celebrated event.

Looking Forward to 2015

2015 will bring completion of the improvement along with a safer thoroughfare and greater economic opportunities for the village of Burlington.

Big Maintenance Efforts in 2014

What Happened in 2014

Slightly less exciting than groundbreakings, but even more vital to our daily lives is the maintenance of the county highway system.

2014 successes include the pavement preservation of 50 miles of County Highway, rigorous safety inspections of 65 bridge structures and the replacement of 34 culverts. The Kane County Division of Transportation maintenance crew conquered multiple polar vortices and record-breaking snowfall during the 2014 winter.

Looking Forward to 2015

Equally as prepared, the team is ready to provide safe roads for Kane County’s motoring public for 2015.

Looking forward, technology will play a larger part in the efficiency of the transportation system in Kane County, as the Arterial Operations Center will break ground in 2015. The center will allow staff to monitor traffic along major arterial corridors and remotely operate Intelligent Transportation System devices along those corridors to improve traffic flow and better respond to traffic incidents.

Anderson Road Extension

Anderson Road overpass looking north from Keslinger Road

What Happened in 2014

Anderson Road construction was initiated in the fall of 2013 and has been ongoing all year in 2014.

Looking Forward to 2015

Included in 2015’s $41 million construction program, Kane County looks forward to the completion of the Anderson Road extension and grade separation in Elburn. This long-awaited project will provide a safe grade-separated railroad crossing, improve response time for emergency vehicles, reduce traffic congestion and provide bicycle and pedestrian access to the Metra station.

Looking Ahead to Safe, Efficient 2015 and Beyond

As we button up ongoing construction projects for the upcoming winter shutdown and reflect upon the successful completion of various road and bridge improvements for the residents of Kane County during 2014, we look forward to the future challenges that await in order to provide a safe and efficient transportation system in 2015 and beyond.

Kane County Division of Transportation Maintenance Team