Rakow Road Project Finished Two Weeks Ahead Of Schedule

The Rakow Road construction project was finished two weeks ahead of schedule with all lanes opened to traffic on Friday, November 16.  Rakow Road was widened to four lanes from IL 31 to Pyott Road and to six lanes from Pyott to Alexandra Blvd.

Free-flow right turns were incorporated into the design from both southbound IL-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 and include 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 storm water inside the pipes and also includes 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.

Thank you for your patience while this important project was completed!

Rakow Road Update

Although the roadway is now completely open to traffic, crews are still putting the final touches on things.  There will be occasional lane closures over the next couple of weeks as this remaining work is finished.

 Workers and trucks will be on site, so please be alert while driving.  Remember that the speed limit is 45 mph. 

Thanks, again, for your patience over the last two years!

Rakow Road Update

The new traffic signals at IL 31 will be turned on Friday, November 16th. 

Once operational, the barrels and barricades will be removed from the pavement to allow the roadway to be fully opened to traffic in this area!  Expect some delays as this work is done and the signals are transitioned from the temporary to permanent ones. 

Please be alert and look for the new signals!  As a reminder, the work zone speed limit will remain at 35 mph through Friday, November 16th as work continues along the project! 

Thanks for your continued patience as we near the completion of this important project!

Rakow Road Work Continues

Work continues in the median along the entire length of the project.  Once the concrete work is complete, the first course of asphalt will be placed in the recently completed median areas, followed by the final asphalt surface placement on the entire project.

 Please be alert when driving through the work zone because multiple operations are occurring throughout the project, including the side roads.  Flaggers will periodically be used depending on the operation, so please be alert for slowing or stopped traffic.

The project continues to be on schedule to have all new lanes open by the end of November!  New photos have been posted to the Photos page!  Click here to view!

Rakow Road Update

Weather permitting, westbound traffic will be moved onto the new lanes on Monday, August 20th. 

After that, the lanes on the side streets will be shifted in the following days.  You will start to see new pavement markings being placed on the new westbound lanes - but the lanes are closed, the markings are to prepare for the traffic switch on Monday. 

Please pay attention to the new signs and pavement markings that will be in place, especially when turning onto Rakow Road from the side streets.  This shift in traffic will allow the remaining work to be completed in the median areas further indicating that we are nearing the end of this important improvement project!

Please check out www.rakowroad.com for details.

 

Thank you again for your continued patience!

REMINDER--Pyott Road-Rakow Road Intersection Work Ongoing Tonight

Traffic at the Pyott Road/Rakow Road intersection will be affected by work on Monday night/TONIGHT, July 30th, into the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 31st.

The temporary asphalt ramps that have been in place will be removed.  Work will begin at 7pm TONIGHT and continue until 5am Tuesday morning. 

During the work, the traffic signals will be set to flashing red and flaggers will be posted at each leg of the intersection.  Although the flaggers will try to minimize the disruptions to traffic as much as possible, please be prepared for delays while this work is performed. 

Thank you for your continued patience .

Reminder--Pyott Road/Rakow Road Traffic Disruptions

Traffic at the Pyott Road/Rakow Road intersection will be affected by work on Monday night, July 30th, into the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 31st. 

The temporary asphalt ramps that have been in place will be removed.  Work will begin at 7pm Monday night and continue until 5am Tuesday morning.

During the work, the traffic signals will be set to flashing red and flaggers will be posted at each leg of the intersection.  Although the flaggers will try to minimize the disruptions to traffic as much as possible, please be prepared for delays while this work is performed.  Thank you for your continued patience.

Rakow Road Work Continues

Work continues at each of the intersections to complete the concrete and asphalt base work.  Once finished, you will see the cleanup of the concrete surfaces for the entire length of the project to prepare for the first lift of asphalt.

This work should be complete in a little over a month when both eastbound and westbound traffic will be split to allow the remaining work in the medians to be finished. 

Please continue to use caution when driving through the project.  Remember that the work zone speed limit remains 35mph.

Rakow Road Traffic Pattern Change

Crews plan to move traffic to the new lanes of McHenry Avenue on Wednesday, June 13th. 

Please use extra caution while driving in this area.

 Crews will be moving barricades and installing new striping to lead drivers into the new traffic pattern. 

On Thursday, June 14th you will see the same activity at Ackman as crews open up new lanes west of the intersection.

Change in Virginia Road Traffic Pattern

The northbound lane of Virginia has been moved to the east to allow work to proceed in the center lanes. 

 Southbound Virginia traffic remains in its same position on the west side.  Please use caution when driving through this area and when turning onto northbound Virginia. 

Work will now be done between the two directions of traffic.

Rakow Road Construction Advisory

With the weather cooperating, the contractor will be switching traffic on both McHenry Avenue and Ackman Road Wednesday, March 28th to allow further work to proceed on those roads. 

This will result in a new traffic pattern with new striping and the realignment of the traffic signals so please be alert when driving through these cross streets.  Expect some delays as this work is done

Rakow Road Work Continues

The utilities completed their relocations and work resumes on Monday, February 27th!  Expect to see the storm sewer crews digging on the southern end of the project.  Those crews will proceed to the north and complete some additional installations at the intersections. 

The contractor’s crews will resume work on the side streets on Monday, March 5th.  Motorists will see some tighter turns as the crews remove some additional pavement to start the construction of the future westbound lanes and the cross streets.  Please use extra caution and be sure to stop at the stop bars before moving into the intersections - a few seconds delay to survey the turns will help traffic flow smoothly. 

You may have seen some issues at the Rakow and Pingree signals over the past week.  The  source of the problems was discovered!  A family of mice decided to make their home in the warm and cozy signal controller box.  They were released into the wild, their entrance was blocked off with expandable foam and the traffic signals are back to normal.

Note from the mice:

Gee wiz guys, we just wanted to be warm and away from those danged cats!

Rakow Road Work Update

The bridge work scheduled for Tuesday, January 17th has been completed as planned. 

Expect some minor delays as equipment is moved from the south side of Rakow to the north side. 

 Work will continue Wednesday, January 18th, weather permitting. 

 New photos have been added to the Photos page!  Click here to view!