Rakow Road Construction Work Nearing End

The McHenry County Division of Transportation is still monitoring the entire Rakow corridor.  They are looking at traffic signal installations, timings and “No Turn on Red” requirements.
 
Once the roadways are operational for a time allowing “normal” traffic patterns to resume, traffic counts will be analyzed to see if adjustments are required.  This will be a continual process.  All of the signals along Rakow are interconnected in an attempt to make travel along Rakow more efficient, although that comes with some disadvantages for cross road traffic

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Please continue to watch for crews as minor clean-up tasks are taken care of before the winter weather really starts.  Expect to see work at the intersections for the signals and at McHenry for the street lighting system.
 
Thank you and happy new year!  New photos have been posted to the Photos page!  Click here to view!

Editorial Note: There are also some interesting facts regarding materials used on the road.

Rakow Road Construction Project Completed

Something not heard very often—PROJECT COMPLETED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

That phrase can be used for the Rakow Road construction project. –it was finished two weeks ahead of schedule. All lanes opened to traffic Friday, November 16.

Rakow Road was widened to four lanes from Illinois 31 to Pyott Road and to six lanes from Pyott to Alexandra Boulevard.   Free-flow right turns were incorporated into the design from both southbound Illinois 31 and southbound Pyott Road onto westbound Rakow Road.

All of the intersections along the project limits were channelized for improved traffic safety and flow. This includes dual left-turn lanes, where deemed necessary, for greater capacity and efficiency.

Now that the roadway has been fully opened, signal timings will be monitored and adjustments will be made to optimize traffic flow to the extent possible.

The project also includes some “green” features. A pedestrian/bicycle path bridge was constructed over Rakow Road just east of Pyott Road to replace the at-grade crossing along Pyott.

The underground drainage system includes the capacity to store stormwater inside the pipes and internal restrictors and sediment traps that control the quantity and quality of the water that flows out. This is a real benefit to the sensitive environmental areas along the project including the Three Oaks Recreation Area and wetlands.

The contractor, Bollinger, Lach Associates, Inc., sends a thank you for the patience of the drivers while this important project was completed.