McHenry County favors bicycle bridge

For drivers who regularly pass through southeastern McHenry County, plans to expand Rakow Road by as many as four lanes in some stretches along the Lake in the Hills-Crystal Lake border, and even more at intersections, are a dream come true.

But for bicyclists who regularly use the nearby Prairie Trail and must cross Rakow at Pyott Road, the addition of several high-speed lanes of traffic to navigate is a potential nightmare.

Now county officials and the McHenry County Conversation District, with a big funding boost from the federal government, are teaming to prevent that with plans to build a $1 million pedestrian and bicyclist bridge over the newly expanded roadway.

The McHenry County Board's Transportation Committee approved a resolution Wednesday entering into an agreement with the conservation district that clears the way for the bridge's construction just east of the Rakow's intersection with Pyott.

Under the deal, which still needs full county board approval, the county and conservation district each would contribute $85,600 toward the bridge's construction. The federal government's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program would pick up the rest of the $865,000 tab.

"It's continuing our commitment to fostering different kinds of transportation and to the Prairie Trail," said transportation committee member Paula Yensen. "It's very affordable. I'm delighted we could do this."

The trail is a 26-mile path maintained by the conservation district that starts at the county line in Algonquin and continues just north of the Wisconsin border.

Wally Dittrich, design manager for the McHenry County Division of Transportation, said the bridge would be similar to the trail's bridge crossing at Algonquin Road, between Route 31 and Pyott Road. It will allow the bicyclists, joggers and walkers who frequent the trail to avoid having to cross as many as 12 lanes at the Pyott and Rakow intersection.

"It's a win-win situation," Dittrich said. "I know (MCCD) is really excited not to have to crossing anymore."

Officials also considered digging a tunnel beneath Rakow, but decided it was too costly and difficult compared to the overpass, Dittrich added.

Construction of the bridge cannot start until at least part of the Rakow expansion is complete, placing its target date for opening sometime in late 2011 or early 2012.

The $35 million Rakow road plan calls for three through lanes of traffic in each direction between Pyott and Ackman roads, two through lanes between Route 31 and Pyott and additional turn lanes at several intersections. The work includes softening the road's curve between McHenry Avenue and Pyott.