Politics & Government

Federal Funds Awarded for Algonquin, Randall CFI

The $10.6 million allocated for the CFI was among 51 projects awarded a total of $286 million through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program.

A proposed continuous-flow intersection at Algonquin and Randall roads has received $10.6 million in federal funding from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program, according to a Tuesday announcement by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.  

The estimated total cost of the intersection, which is meant to improve traffic flow on Randall Road, is $13 million and is part of an $80 million Randall Road improvement project between Ackman and County Line roads, according to the Northwest Herald. 

The $10.6 million allocated for the CFI was among 51 projects awarded a total of $286 million through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program, according to a Tuesday announcement by CMAP. 

Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The controversial plan for the intersection is not finalized, and it's unclear if federal funds would still be available if the county does not build a CFI, according to the article. 

Lake in the Hills village officials have publicly voiced opposition over the continuous-flow intersection, which they believe will draw business away from the Lake in the Hills portion of Randall Road. 

Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"A continuous-flow intersection has traffic turning left placed to the left of oncoming traffic, opposite where it is normally. This removes the conflict between oncoming traffic and traffic turning left," according to a FAQ page on the Randall Road Improvements project website. "Vehicles turning left access the lane a few hundred feet in front of the intersection."

The county plan also calls for widening Randall Road to six lanes and includes improvements from Ackman Road to County Line Road, according to the Northwest Herald. Under the five-year plan, which is not finalized, construction for the project would start in 2016, according to the article. 

A graphic showing an aerial map of the proposed plan, and a video which demonstrates how a CFI works, can be found on the Randall Road project website.

The continuous-flow intersection is meant to help cut down on travel time and congestion along the heavily traveled Randall Road, according to county officials. 

If a conventional intersection remained at Randall and Algonquin, projections for peak travel time in 2030 showed the average motorist would face a delay of nearly 93 seconds, which received an “F” or failing level of service for a roadway.

The CFI would mean a 51.1 second delay for the average motorist and a “D” level of service.


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