Light at the end of the tunnel on Rt. 31 work
How are your teeth holding up, Route 31 commuters?
Any motorist, like West Dundee's Ron Dvorkin, who has journeyed along Route 31 anywhere near the Northwest Tollway and south has found it to be one bumpy ride these days -- and you thought it was bad before. And, though, like Ron, many motorists are glad for the improvements, the backups are brutal. Ron wrote wondering if an end is in sight.
The fix is in
Hold onto your molars, folks. It's going to be a bit longer, but, yes, there is hope. The major project is in full swing as a contractor for the Illinois Department of Transportation works to, first, rebuild parts of the bridge over Tyler Creek just south of the tollway. Once the bridge is complete, it won't be much longer, IDOT spokesman Mike Claffey tells me.
"After that's complete, they will start resurfacing and putting fresh asphalt down," Claffey said. "It should be completed by the middle of November."
On the roads again
Maybe we'll have heard good news from Springfield by then.
Kudos to the members of the McHenry County Better Roads Coalition, who journeyed to Springfield Wednesday with a plea for the governor and lawmakers to take another look at McHenry County's worsening traffic congestion. It sounds like you at least got your feet in the door, and that's a great start.
Now how about inviting all those lawmakers and the governor to visit McHenry County -- during rush hour?
Bring them in on Route 31 at the tollway.
Stand down
Know a veteran who has been newly discharged, displaced or disabled?
Kathy Chwedyk of Algonquin asked me to let you all know about a Stand Down for Veterans to be held at the YMCA's Camp Algonquin Monday and Tuesday.
Kathy's the development director for the National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corp., which is sponsoring the event. It will include everything from free haircuts, job help, medical screening, and legal, housing and food assistance.
Call (866) 338-4968 for details or to donate. Pass the word, OK?
What's that buzz?
Have you heard a very non-cicada-like buzz in your backyards lately? Even those of us who don't normally get hummingbirds are in on the fun. Thanks to my colleague George LeClaire, you can find out why on his video now up on our Web site. Check it out.
Do you know?
It's National Fire Prevention week, and local firefighters hope you'll stop by, visit and learn more about fire safety. Lt. Kirk Kiermas of the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department invites you to bring the family by during their open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. You'll get a tour, see antique fire engines, live burn demonstrations and lots more. I hear there will be refreshments, too!
What happens if …
Cary Fire Protection District Lt. Michael Douglas also invites us to stop by an open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Station One, 400 Cary-Algonquin Road. You'll see fire engines, ambulances and special equipment and can also see how a fire spreads inside a house -- with and without a residential sprinkler system.
Sounds like a display Huntley trustees should have seen before they nixed the sprinkler law there.
• Amy R. Mack's column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. She can be reached at (847) 931-5725; by fax (847) 608-0849; via mail at 385 Airport Road, Suite A, Elgin, IL 60123; or by e-mail: amack@dailyherald.com.