Village Approves Land Transfer for Bypass

Another hurdle has been crossed as the Algonquin Village Board Tuesday approved several agreements regarding the construction of the much-anticipated Route 31 Western Bypass.

The approved agreements provide the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with the land necessary for the 4-lane divided roadway, located west of downtown Algonquin, according to a press release.

“The Western Bypass is a significant addition to Algonquin’s transportation network and will greatly enhance mobility through the village and McHenry County,” Village President John Schmitt said in a press release.

“It’s been a long, tireless effort by many parties, but we now have a solution which will reduce traffic congestion, improve flow and allow downtown to become a more pedestrian-friendly commercial district,” he said. 

The McHenry County Conservation District’s Prairie Trail also will be reconfigured as part of the project, to allow greater accessibility to Towne Park from the trail.