Elburn could get (some) relief from Prairie Parkway

Thirty years ago, when I worked as a reporter in Elburn, there was a common cry among village residents: How can we get the trucks to slow down when going through the village on Route 47 or, better yet, is there any way to get them on a different route?

The solution to that problem never has materialized, even with the first phase of construction on the new Prairie Parkway soon beginning in the area south of Elburn and other area villages.

It means you're not going to hear a lot of discouraging words about the Prairie Parkway project on the streets of Elburn, mainly because the general consensus would be the new highway is long overdue and it will alleviate congestion along Route 47, which also will be widened in some portions as part of the overall project.

But most residents realize it's also not going to stop the trucks from rolling through town. Folks in these rural areas understand that these trucks are vital to the region's economy, so it was never really an issue of stopping trucks. It was always more about slowing them down in town, and also alleviating congestion caused by trucks.

Blackberry Township Supervisor Dave Anderson knows that a promise to widen Route 47 might not be all it seems to be on paper. He's quick to point out that you can't widen Route 47 in the spots it would need it the most - in Yorkville, Sugar Grove and Elburn.

"Well, let's not say you can't," Anderson said in realizing that most anything actually could happen in the politics of road-building. "Let's just say it would be very difficult to do it."

It went farther north: Those who have an interest in the history of our roadways might remember the one that "got away" in the eyes of many local politicians and businessmen - especially those who wanted DuPage Airport to get even bigger than it has.

Former Congressman Dennis Hastert spoke often of a need for another north-south highway in the region, and he had tagged a route just east of Fermilab as one worth embracing. But he also warned, even 25 years ago, that it was probably too late to address that site because of the growth in western DuPage and eastern Kane.

So all eyes went farther west and, eventually, farther north. Ten years ago, former County Board Chairman Mike McCoy gathered IDOT officials and all of the township supervisors to take a look at a concept plan for the Prairie Parkway that went from Interstate 80 all the way up to Interstate 90 in Hampshire.

We're getting a slightly scaled back version now, from Kaneville and Interstate 88 south to I-80. But keep in mind that past visions have a way of being recycled as future visions. If our economy can right itself, and the Prairie Parkway as planned now proves to be a positive addition, I would not be surprised if planners continue to eye land heading north.

More about roads: If the above information piqued your interest in our highways, take in the free history lesson from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday during the History Roundtable Discussion at the Pottawatomie Community Center.

The topic is the history of transportation in St. Charles through the decades. Longtime residents share stories and memories of our highways, byways, train stations and more.

Don't miss scarecrows: If you haven't spent some time in downtown St. Charles yet this weekend, don't miss your last chance today to look at this year's scarecrow display.

For anyone new to the area, the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival is one of the great autumn parties you'll find when it comes to entertaining the entire family. Don't forget, even though the displays are on the west side in Lincoln Park, you can park on the east side of town as well, near Baker United Methodist Church or the parking deck. A pit stop at the church for Sloppy Joes or chili won't disappoint you.

Don't miss the meatballs: A business seminar I must attend will cause me to miss serving the spaghetti and meatballs with my service club at the St. Charles Moose Lodge for the first time in 20 years.

But that's no excuse for you to miss the Tri-Cities Exchange Club's annual Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the lodge on Route 38, just west of Randall Road.

And, unfortunately, there won't be a Cubs or Sox game you have to worry about missing.

dheun@sbcglobal.net