Red Gate Road bridge inches closer to reality

Progress on St. Charles' dreams of building its own bridge over the Fox River are expected to pick up steam after a meeting with state and federal transportation officials at the end of this week.

The $30 million Red Gate bridge project is high on Mayor Don DeWitte's list of priorities this year. The two-lane bridge would extend Red Gate Road from Route 31 to Route 25. Some Wayne residents have opposed the project, citing increased traffic concerns, but they have not been able to derail the plans to this point.

DeWitte said the meeting with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Authority should bring final approval of the city's phase one engineering study for the project.

"Once they sign off, that clearly gives the project legs and legitimacy in the eyes, hopefully, of those who are able to secure some funding for the project," DeWitte said.

The city has applied for a number of grants through the state and with federal officials for stimulus funds. However, DeWitte has said the city is prepared to move forward with the bridge even without that money. Asking city residents to fund the project with tax dollars is always an option. DeWitte would rather see the city receive good news on its grant applications.

"This is a classic case of attempting to secure our residents' tax dollars to be reinvested back into their own community," DeWitte said.

The availability of federal money for the project is in question. Just last week, Kane County officials pointed to the absence of federal money for big dollar bridge projects while trying to justify the creation of a toll system for the pending Longmeadow Parkway Bridge between Carpentersville and Algonquin.

"We're not going to make ours a toll bridge, I'll tell you that," DeWitte said.

If built, the city expects the bridge to bring major relief to traffic congestion on Route 64, the city's Main Street.

The city may also see more progress on plans for the rejuvenation of the Charlestowne Mall this week. DeWitte said he expects the new owners will be back in town either this week or shortly thereafter with more detail on their ideas for bringing the mall back to life.