Work continues on Stearns Road project

The biggest transportation project in Kane County's history is taking shape.

Accent lighting, decorative plaques, attractive landscaping and other aesthetic features are proposed to enhance the bridge and the surrounding area. Members of the county board's transportation committee reviewed artist renderings of the bridge and adjacent bicycle path.

"Bridges don't have to be ugly," said Jan Carlson, transportation committee chairman. "It does go a little bit to the quality of life we enjoy in Kane County."

Construction of the Stearns Road bridge is well under way in St. Charles Township, a year after a groundbreaking ceremony was held near the bridge's eastern edge. A bridge recently was built to carry Route 31 over the new Stearns Road west of the Fox River.

The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic in late 2010. The $165 million project is being engineered and constructed in stages along its 4.6-mile length from the Kane/DuPage County line to Randall Road.

Four of the five contracts have yet to be awarded. Contract letting is targeted for June 2009.

"This is an aggressive schedule," county engineer Carl Schoedel said of the project.

512285An architectural rendering depicts the Stearns Road bridge over the Fox River between St. Charles and South Elgin. The smaller, lower bridge is a bicycle and walking path. </p> 512259Construction workers in December lay the groundwork for a new Route 31 bridge over the new Stearns Road west of the Fox River in St. Charles Township.George LeClaire | Staff Photographer