(CREDIT: Kane County Division of Transportation)

The Kane County Division of Transportation has received a Public Works Project of the Year Award for the Anderson Road extension in the village of Elburn.

The award is for projects between $5 million and $25 million and is given annually by the Fox Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association.

The Public Works Project of the Year 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, working together, complete public works projects.

(CREDIT: Kane County Division of Transportation)

The Anderson Road Extension provides a new roadway linking IL Route 38 to Keslinger Road in Elburn and consists of an overpass of the Union Pacific Railroad/Metra rail yard and about 1.6 miles of new roadway. The project also delivers enhanced stormwater features, provides more than 2 miles of walking and biking trails and sidewalks, and greatly improves access to the Elburn Metra station.

The improvement was a high priority for village of Elburn officials, who played an important role facilitating the county’s right-of-way acquisition for the new extension.

Prior to the Anderson Road Extension, there were no bridges or underpasses in Elburn, and the gates at the IL Route 47 railroad crossing were down about three hours a day. Drivers had to travel seven miles out of their way to avoid the railroad crossing gates.

“The Anderson Road Extension provides a critical overpass for the village of Elburn and the region,” said Elburn Village President Dave Anderson. “The project has greatly reduced congestion, improved emergency response, and will continue to promote economic development opportunities within the village and central Kane County.”

The Anderson Road Extension has been in the planning since the extension of the Metra UP West line to the village of Elburn in the early 2000s, and many consider it a model for intergovernmental coordination.

Funding for the project came from the county, the Kane/Kendall Council of Mayors, the state of Illinois, and the federal government.

“This is an improvement that we are all thankful for,” Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen said. “The Anderson Road Extension delivers a major improvement for the motoring public and demonstrates the great accomplishments that can happen when you bring together the right team players. It’s a prime illustration of public funds well spent.”

SOURCE: Kane County Division of Transportation news release

(CREDIT: Kane County Division of Transportation)