Western Bypass Construction Could Start as Early as September

If everything goes as planned, construction on the Western Bypass could start as early as this September. 

Illinois Department of Transportation officials told the Daily Herald they might soon OK a $4.89 million mass grading work bid for the road construction project to Ryan Incorporated Central, according to the Daily Herald. It typically takes 45 days for a contract to be finalized, IDOT officials told the Daily Herald.

The $70 million Western Bypass is planned to run along the west side of the current Illinois Route 31 from Rakow Road, will cut through Towne Park, and come back to 31 at Huntington Drive. It will include the reconstruction and widening of portions of Illinois Route 31.

The purpose of the bypass is to ease congestion at Route 31 and Route 62. 

The Daily Herald reported that if "all land acquisition, permits and agreements are finalized," IDOT will start seeking bids for the main construction contract in June. If they are able to secure a bid, construction could start as early as September and the bypass could be open by late fall 2013. 

The village of Algonquin recently received a $90,000 grant to work on a downtown plan for when the bypass is complete. 

"After the Western Bypass is complete, truck traffic will be removed from Main Street in downtown," said Village Planner Ben Mason. "It will really open up the traffic flow and create some opportunities."

The public can sound off on what changes they would like to see made to Algonquin's downtown in a community survey, which is now available on the village of Algonquin's Downtown Plan website.

Residents are also able to use a virtual map on the village's website to comment on locations where they would like to see changes made.