Celebration in Elburn: Anderson Road Overpass Ribbon Cutting Set for Dec. 7
The feature photo of this article pretty much tells the story — a beautiful, aerial view of the Anderson Road overpass in Elburn.
And while a picture paints a thousand words, it can’t compare to the message contained in that photo, which represents a major transportation improvement for the village of Elburn, for Kane County commuters and for local businesses.
The much-anticipated ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the Anderson Road Overpass is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at the intersection of Anderson Road and Prairie Valley Street.
The overpass of the busy Union Pacific West Line railroad tracks on the east of the village of Elburn “will enhance public safety and emergency response and increase access for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to the Metra station,” according to a joint invitation to the ribbon-cutting event sent out by Elburn Village President David Anderson and Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen.
Parking for the event will be available in the west lot of John Steward Elementary School, 817 Prairie St., Elburn.
More than 105 trains per day pass through that part of town, with railroad gates down on average about three hours a day. There are no existing bridges or underpasses within the village, and the Kane County Division of Transportation has estimated that a driver has to endure “seven miles of adverse travel” to avoid gates down at the IL Route 47 grade crossing.
The $16 million Anderson Road project was initiated in 2013 and construction started in 2014. The project extends Anderson Road from IL Route 38 to Keslinger Road. Traffic signals at Anderson and Keslinger Road were activated today (Monday, Nov. 16, 2015).
Read More
- Traffic signals at Anderson, Keslinger Roads to Be Activated Monday
- Portion of Anderson Road to Be Opened Wednesday
- Part of Anderson Road to Reopen Prior to Start of Schoolyear
- Anderson Road in Elburn to Be Closed Starting June 2
Project Features
- New 2 Mile Roadway and Bridge/Overpass
- Provides Travel Route Alternatives
- Improves Response Time for Emergency Vehicles
- Offers a Class II Truck Route
- Safe Grade-Separated Railroad Crossing
- Direct Access to the Elburn Metra Station
- Travel Mode Alternatives
- Provides Bicycle/Pedestrian Infrastructure
- Promotes Transit Oriented Development
- Public and Private Sector Partnerships: Kane County, Village of Elburn, Blackberry Township, Metra, Union Pacific Railroad, and Landowners
- Expedited Construction Schedule
- Shovel-Ready pending Land Acquisition
- Funding Commitments from Federal, State and Local Sources; Engineering and Land Acquisition Completed with Local Funds
Economic Benefits
- Provides needed construction jobs
- Spurs economic development
- Reduces traffic congestion/fuel consumption
- Connects residents to retail, service, commercial, and educational land uses
- Improves air quality
- Improves safety
