Algonquin's Western Bypass Contract Awarded

The next big step forward for Algonquin's Western Bypass came this week. 

On Wednesday, the McHenry County Administration announced in a press release the main construction roadway contract for the project had been awarded to F. H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates of Chicago for $33.3 million. 

The main construction is expected to get underway in the fall with the entire project slated for completion in fall 2014.

Currently, the  on a portion of the bypass between Illinois Route 31 and Algonquin Road in Algonquin. That work is expected to be completed in November 2012. 

The purpose of the four-lane bypass is to relieve congestion at Route 31 and Route 62 downtown Algonquin. 

On its northern edge, the Western Bypass will connect with Route 31 just north of Cary Road. The bypass will continue west of Route 31, will pass over Algonquin Road in the area where the Post Office is located and then will loop back over where the current Prairie Trail is located behind St. John's Lutheran Church and School.

The bypass will connect back with Route 31 at Huntington Drive at its southern-most edge. 

The bypass has been a long-time coming. 

McHenry County and the Illinois Department of Transportation have been evaluating alternatives since 1996 to address the congestion at the Illinois Route 31/Illinois Route 62 intersection in downtown Algonquin, according to the news release. 

Approximately 61 acres from 35 different parcels were acquired to construct the entire project, according to the news release. 

The Project: Details on The Western Bypass Route

The proposed western bypass includes the construction of a new roadway beginning at the Illinois Route 31/Huntington Drive/Main Street intersection and extends northwest along the existing McHenry County Conservation District’s Prairie Trail, according to the news release. 

The roadway then turns to the north and crosses over Algonquin Road on a bridge structure. 

Ramps from the new Illinois Route 31 going over Algonquin Road will be built providing access between Algonquin Road and the bypass.  At the north end of the bypass, Main Street (existing Illinois Route 31) will be realigned to intersect with the bypass. 

The bypass will then continue north and then back to the northeast to rejoin the Illinois Route 31 just north of Cary-Algonquin Road. There, it will connect with the ongoing Illinois Route 31 widening project at Klasen Road and Virginia Road.

That widening project will expand the existing two-lane Illinois Route 31 to five lanes providing two travel lanes in either direction. There will be a barrier median separating the lanes and a left turn lane at intersections, according to the news release. 

The improvements are meant to allow continuous traffic flow on Illinois Route 31 over Illinois Route 62 and allow the traffic signal timing to be adjusted to provide an increased green time for traffic along Illinois Route 62. 

Source: McHenry County Administration press release