Huntley will have western access at I-90

Construction should start this spring on a full interchange at Route 47 and the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) in Huntley.

Currently, access is limited to drivers traveling to and from the east.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority will pay 50 percent of the nearly $70 million cost with local and state governments covering the remainder. The Illinois Department of Transportation will contribute 25 percent, Huntley will pay 10 percent, Kane County will pay 8.5 percent and McHenry County will pay 6.5 percent.

Members of a tollway committee approved the intergovernmental agreement Wednesday morning and full approval is expected next week at the agency’s regular board meeting.

Currently, drivers can exit onto Route 47 from westbound I-90 and enter the eastbound tollway from Huntley. The improvements will allow motorists to go west on I-90 from Huntley and permit eastbound drivers to exit onto Route 47.

The work is estimated to be completed by December 2013.

“It’s a very complex project, including a new bridge over I-90,” deputy chief of engineering for planning Rocco Zucchero said.

The intergovernmental agreement was the result of months of discussions. The interchange is expected to spark economic development in the area and reduce truck traffic on local roads.

“It’s an excellent indication of the impact of an interchange on a region,” Zucchero said, adding that although the location is not technically in McHenry County, the county is a contributing partner.

Officials said they would incorporate environmentally friendly practices into the construction, including a geothermal design and reflective roofs for tollway plaza buildings at the interchange and permeable pavement on ramp shoulders.

The tollway is building another interchange at I-90 and Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont.

Other interchanges and interchange improvements under consideration include:

Ÿ On I-90 at Route 31, Barrington Road, Roselle Road, Meacham Road, Route 53 and Elmhurst Road.

Ÿ On the Tri-State Tollway at Route 173, Route 132, Touhy Avenue, I-290 and North Avenue, and Ogden Avenue.

Ÿ On the Reagan Tollway at Route 59 and Route 47.