Commuters who drive on Randall Road at Weld Road and Route 20 knows how nightmarish traffic can get, but Kane County is starting the process of figuring out what is the best way to improve the intersection.
There are several ideas being considered, including a free flowing right-turn ramp from northbound Randall Road to eastbound Route 20, said Steve Coffinbarger, Kane County Transportation Department assistant director.
“Currently that intersection is nothing but back-ups,” Board member T.R. Smith said.
“It is the intent of the improvements to help congestion there,” Coffinbarger said.
The ramp would be on Randall Road. An auxiliary lane on Route 20 would accommodate the merging traffic from the proposed access ramp and the existing eastbound loop ramp traffic with eastbound Route 20 through traffic, according to county documents.
Widening the auxiliary lane would require a retaining wall to minimize the impact to the adjacent frontage road, Weld Road, and to Otter Creek, the documents state. Chicago engineering firm HDR Engineering, Inc. will do a special study that would be reviewed and approved by the Illinois Department Central Office Bureau of Bridges and Structures, it stated.
The county had budget $270,000 for Phase I engineering, but the project requires an additional study, according to county documents. Transportation Committee members approved amendment to an agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. for about $45,000. The county board needs to vote on the resolution.
A public hearing on a plan for the intersection will likely be held in the summer, Coffinbarger said.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter.
