PHOTO SLIDE SHOW: Plank Road Ribbon Cutting ‘Just Opens the Future’ for Burlington
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The long-anticipated Plank Road realignment is here. It is officially “open road.” And you know it’s operational because a bunch of important public officials could have gotten run over trying to sneak in a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning.
“And now for the dangerous part of the day,” Village Engineer John Whitehouse said as he led Kane County and Village Board members to stand in the middle of the road, under Burlington’s first-ever downtown stoplight.
Just prior to the giant-scissor snip, those same officials had a chance to put the occasion into perspective. The $5 million road project removes a jog in Plank Road that had been a transportation, public-safety and economic-development albatross for the village since its founders began laying plans in 1851.
With one cut of a thick, red ribbon shortly after 10 a.m., all that changed.
“We look back at what we’ve learned, and we know other generations will have this tool to build with,” Village President Bob Walsh said. “This road just opens the future. Now, we need to take what we have here and grow. I invite you to grow with us.”
Kane County Board member T.R. Smith, whose 9th District includes the village of Burlington, said the road construction work was all part of the county’s updated 2040 Plan, which divides the county into urban, suburban and rural planning areas. Smith said the roadwork was designed to ensure necessary transportation and business opportunity while protecting Burlington’s rural character.
“Yesterday, I was out at a meeting in Schaumburg, and I saw nothing but rooftops,” he said, as the sun peeked out from behind some early-morning clouds. “You’re out here in rural Kane County. Look around. See how beautiful this is? One hundred years from now, our grandchildren will be saying, ‘Look around, and see how beautiful this is.’ ”
Kane County Board member and Transportation Committee Chair Drew Frasz said the project was completed on time and under budget because of the hard work of Kane County Division of Transportation personnel, the cooperation of property owners and the partnership of area businesses and independent contractors.
“We come from all parts of our county to celebrate today,” Frasz said.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officials walked a few hundred feet to the site of the recently rediscovered monument stone set by Burlington’s founders as a marker for surveyors. To see photos of that grand opening, click on this sidebar: Burlington Monument Stone Unveils Village’s Starting Point.
Read More
- Little Burlington’s Big Day Arrives Oct. 6
- Photos: Burlington Uncovers Original 164-Yeaer-Old Monument Stone
- Plank Road Groundbreaking Was Decades in the Making
- PROGRESS 2015: Little Burlington Has Big Plans
- From Coffee-Table Napkins to Groundbreaking — Plank Road Realignment Becomes Reality
- Burlington’s Long-Awaited Plank Road Work Starts April 6
Come Grow with us in Burlington
SOURCE: village of Burlington website
Located at the crossroads Plank Road, Peplow Road, French Road, and Burlington Road, Burlington is a small but growing town in a rural setting. We are 10 miles to the all new interchange of IL Route 47 at Interstate 90, and 9 miles to the US Route 20 at I-90 interchange. Burlington is a vibrant business-friendly community with great schools and ample open space giving us room to grow.
- Plank Road realignment project will be completed in 2015, creating economic development opportunities for new business along this Kane County Arterial that carries approximately 8,000 vehicles per day.
- Elgin Community College has begun their construction for the Public Safety and Sustainability Center. Located on the east side of the Village on the south side of Plank Road. This will provide classes and training for law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. Some features will include a burn tower, firefighter and police training programs, and classrooms. A lot of activity will be going on in this 118 acres part of Burlington.
- Burlington is located within 42 miles of O’Hare International Airport, and Rockford International Airports via the I-90/IL Route 47 interchange.
- Efficient and swift municipal approvals.
- Business-friendly and professional Village Board focused on economic development activities.
- Municipal government leadership in the areas of finance, public safety and public works
- Strong municipal financial sustainability – no tax increases budgeted for the past three years
- Burlington has over 300 acres of undeveloped land identified as available for industrial, manufacturing, office and business park uses
Burlington provides a exceptional location for your business.
Come Grow with us in Burlington!
For more information regarding available properties and economic development opportunities, please contact the Village of Burlington Illinois, 847-683-2283, visit our website http://www.vil.burlington.il.us/ or email Village President Bob Walsh (bwalsh@vil.burlington.il.us) or Village Clerk Jeaneen Bennett (jbennett@vil.burlington.il.us)
