Public hearing set on Route 47 improvements
State transportation officials are seeking communities' input on proposed improvements to an eight-mile stretch of Route 47 at a March 12 public hearing in Huntley.
The Route 47 Study Corridor extends from north of Reed Road in Huntley to south of Route 14 in Woodstock. The scope of the proposed project involves reconstruction and widening of Route 47 to two lanes in each direction separated by a median, a bridge replacement, and intersection, drainage, pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Illinois Department of Transportation officials will present the proposed project's preferred design alternative and environmental assessment, including impacts, benefits and potential mitigation measures at the public hearing.
The project study team has met with stakeholders in affected communities, including Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Huntley and McHenry County, and with leaders of local organizations and churches.
IDOT has completed the preliminary design and environmental study. The next step is getting the final design and construction bids approved. The state has not yet allocated funding for acquiring right-of-way and project construction.
State officials say the improvements are necessary to improve safety and capacity as traffic volumes on Route 47 have exceeded efficiency.
Huntley Village Manager Dave Johnson said village officials will be "watching intently" the state's execution of the proposed improvements.
"We've had over $20 million in developer improvements to Route 47," Johnson said. "North of Reed Road, we've already required the developer of the Talamore subdivision to make right-of-way improvements. We support the improvements from the perspective of improving traffic flow or safety."
However, Johnson added, the state has "improved" the Reed Road and Route 47 intersection a number of times as part of Route 47 widening.
"We weren't terribly happy at the end of the day as to how that widening project left that intersection," he said.
The March 12 hearing will be an open house format from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Huntley Park District REC Center, 12015 Mill St. IDOT project team members will answer questions. Exhibits will be on display and an audiovisual presentation will be shown continuously. The public forum portion begins at 6 p.m.
Written comments can be submitted at the hearing, mailed afterward or submitted at Route47Study.com. All comments must be received by March 26. The environmental assessment also can be reviewed on the project website, at Huntley Area Public Library and IDOT's District One offices in Schaumburg.