Section of Dunham Road to close for improvement project

Motorists who frequently travel on Dunham Road will find themselves with a longer commute next week.

As part of a $165 million, 4.6-mile improvement project, Dunham between Stearns Road and Route 25 in the Wayne area is designated to close starting next week and stay that way until July 19.

Manny Gomez, assistant director of transportation for Kane County, said the project is a major, new arterial roadway that will not only improve the current uses within Kane and DuPage counties, but also for future uses.

The closure is based on the coordination and schedule worked out with the contractor, Sjostrom and Sons Inc., out of Rockford.

"Our goal was to minimize the amount of time that this section of road remains closed, but for the amount of work the contractor has, this is the time he needs," Gomez said.

"The closure was always anticipated, it was nothing new. From the planning phase, this closure was identified. We want to give him as much time to do what he needs to do so we can open the corridor on Nov. 23 for the people," he added.

The project will provide an additional route over the Fox River, and intends to ease congestion in the area between St. Charles and South Elgin.

Posted detours will help guide motorists around the largest road project undertaken by the county. Motorists are urged to use Stearns Road and Route 20.

The overall project is 43 percent complete.

Additional information can be found on the county's website, countyofkane.org, or through the project's site, stearnsroad.com.