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Kane likely to help get I-90 interchange for Hampshire

Kane County might contribute $300,000 toward getting a partial interchange at Interstate 90 and Brier Hill Road near Hampshire.

The county board transportation committee heard a proposal Wednesday from the Hampshire village president. It will vote on a formal resolution in December.

The money would be used to pay for the first two phases of engineering, which is estimated to cost $1.95 million.

In 2007, the county board accepted a study that called for adding three interchanges along I-90 in western Kane County. Two have been built: a full interchange at Route 47, and an interchange at U.S. Route 20. Brier Hill is the third in the plan.

Lincolnshire-based Van Vlissingen and Co. has proposed a $400 million, 677-acre mixed-use development on Brier Hill.

Hampshire would pay $350,000, the developer would pay $350,000, and the state is being asked for $1 million, according to Hampshire President Jeffrey Magnussen. All would be contingent on getting the state funding, he said.

The $300,000 is not in the 2014-15 county budget. But since it could take 18 months to two years to get the state funding and do the engineering, the money could be included in the next county budget, said Tom Rickert, the county's deputy transportation director. If it moves along faster, the department would ask the county board to amend the budget.

"This project is sorely needed," said committee member T.R. Smith, who represents the area. He said he has spoken with representatives of taxing districts in the area who want the property taxes the development is projected to generate. " ... I think this will be a great boost to the economy here, if and when we get it going."

The project, a mix of residential, commercial and retail uses, was proposed in 2000.

The developer estimates it could bring 8,000 jobs to the area.

Transportation Committee Chairman Drew Frasz cautioned that just because the county is inclined to help pay for engineering doesn't mean it is willing to help pay for construction. Buying land and building the interchange is estimated to cost $19.5 million.

In other business

The transportation committee approved a contract to install wayside-horn warning systems on Brundige and LaFox roads where they cross the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near LaFox.

Leyden Electric will complete the project for $283,500, 16 percent more than the engineers' estimate. The state is paying $199,000. Frasz said Blackberry Township and the LaFox Civic Association are contributing $30,000.

"This is the chairman's favorite project," quipped Frasz, who lives on Brundige near the crossing.

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