July, 2007 - Randall Road

RANDALL ROAD
IMPROVEMENTS STUDY
In This Issue
Introduction
Public Meeting Announcement
Study Area
Phase I Preliminary Engineering and
Environmental Evaluation Process
An enhanced process for McHenry County
…Expanded Public Involvement Program
Related Projects
Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
For Further Information Contact
NEWSLETTER 1 ● JULY 2007
INTRODUCTION
This is the first of two newsletters on the Randall Road
Improvements Study, a Phase I Preliminary Engineering and
Environmental Study for Randall Road between County Line
Road and Ackman Road. The project was initiated by McHenry
County in the spring of 2007. The goal of the approximately twoyear long study is to identify an alternative that will relieve the
congested traffic conditions along the corridor felt by motorists of
McHenry County and surrounding communities. McHenry
County has retained HDR Engineering, Inc. and their team
(including Baxter and Woodman Consulting Engineers, RH
Anderson and Associates, Wilbur-Smith Associates, and SCI
Engineering) to prepare the Phase I study that includes the
identification of the various needs for the project (safety, traffic, pedestrian, etc.), evaluation of alternatives
(based on needs and environmental impacts), and development of the preferred improvements which will be
recommended for further study in the second phase of the project,
Major Project Tasks
Design. This study will develop a comprehensive solution that
addresses the communities’ goals and needs. As funding for the
Data Collection and Analysis
construction of the Randall Road project is limited, additional
Traffic Operational / Safety Analysis
funding is needed for the Preferred Alternative to be carried forward
Environmental Evaluation
through design and construction. A Strategic Funding Plan will be
Drainage Analysis
developed as part of this study to identify and evaluate potential
Alternatives Analysis
funding sources for future phases of the project.
Preliminary Design of Preferred
Alternative
In the early 1990s, Randall Road was designated as a Strategic
Public Involvement / CSS Coordination
Regional Arterial (SRA). Strategic Regional Arterials (SRA’s) are a
network of highways designed to accommodate long distance
regional traffic, to complement a region’s major transit and highway facilities, and to supplement the freeway
system. Randall Road is a primary north-south arterial in southern McHenry County that many residents use for
Interstate 90 (I-90) access through Kane County since McHenry County does not have direct access to I-90.
Refer to Figure 1 on page 2. Over the last five years numerous new developments along the Randall Road
corridor have contributed to the congested traffic conditions that motorists are faced with today. McHenry
County Division of Transportation recognizes these conditions and is taking steps to address the situation.
PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
July 25, 2007 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Crystal Lake South High School – cafeteria
1200 South McHenry Avenue, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
You are invited to attend an Open House Public Meeting for the Randall Road Improvements Study. The purpose of this public
meeting is to inform the public that a study is underway and to solicit input on the need of the project.
The meeting location is accessible to persons with a disability. Persons with a disability planning to attend this hearing should
notify Wally Dittrich (815-334-4980) by July 23, 2007. If special accommodations are needed, Mr. Dittrich, the contact person,
should be informed at the time of notification.
Page 1
Page 2
RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY
STUDY AREA
The study limits extend approximately 3.5 miles from the intersection of Randall Road and County Line Road
(near the Algonquin Commons shopping center) to the intersection of Randall Road and Ackman Road. The
study area is located in the City of Crystal Lake, Village of Algonquin, and. Village of Lake in the Hills
Page 3
RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY
PHASE I PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING AND
ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION PROCESS
Within the Phase I process, all identified reasonable alternatives will be evaluated and potential social,
economic, and environmental impacts will be avoided or minimized. The result of the evaluation is the
identification of a Preferred Alternative that will be recommended for further study in the design and
construction phases of the project. Of all the alternatives analyzed in the study, the Preferred Alternative
should include improvements that best address the purpose and need for the project. The Preferred
Alternative Figure 2 shows the typical process for Phase I: Preliminary Design/ Environmental Evaluation.
Phase I Process
Project
Initiation
Data
Collection
Purpose
and Need
Alternatives
Identification
Alternatives
Evaluation
Select
Preferred Alt.
Phase I
Report
Phase II
Design
Phase III
Construction
= Public Meetings or Hearing
Consensus on Preferred Alternative
Consensus on Alternatives to be Evaluated
Consensus on Criteria and Process
Consensus on Purpose and Need
Consensus on Study Approach and Scope
*
bli
i
Figure 2
The Randall Road Improvements Study involves preparing a Phase I Report which focuses on alternatives
analysis and environmental evaluation. Potential impacts to the resources will be completed. The design of the
Preferred Alternative will be modified to avoid and minimize impacts. If avoidance is not feasible, mitigation
measures will be identified.
Stakeholder Involvement is built into the Phase I process. Through the expanded Public Involvement Program
for the Randall Road Improvements Study there will be opportunities for stakeholders to get involved and
provide input throughout the entire Phase I Process.
Page 4
RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY
AN ENHANCED PROCESS FOR MCHENRY COUNTY…
… EXPANDED STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM
The Randall Road Improvements Study is incorporating an
expanded Stakeholder Involvement Program based on
Goals and Objectives of expanded Public
principles of a context sensitive solutions (CSS) approach.
Involvement Program
This approach is an enhanced process that McHenry
Determine project context with stakeholder input
County is quite familiar with which is being used to
and consensus
ultimately develop a transportation solution which is
Develop a project purpose
sensitive to the communities' needs and the environment
while considering the total context within which a
Treat all involved parties with respect and dignity,
transportation project will exist. While the CSS process has
in a transparent manner and in a way that ensures
only been formalized over the past several years with
that their input is duly heard and considered
published guidance, McHenry County has been following
Identify reasonable alternative solutions to solve
the principles of CSS for a number of years. Although the
identified transportation problems with stakeholder
study is not using the formal Illinois Department of
input and concurrence
Transportation or Federal Highway Administration CSS
Choose a preferred alternative solution to identified
process, the study is using CSS principles which include the
transportation problems for the project with
employment of early, continuous, and meaningful
stakeholder input and concurrence
involvement of the public and all stakeholders throughout
the project development process.
The expanded Stakeholder Involvement Program for the Randall Road Improvements Study includes a Public
Meeting for Scoping, a Public Meeting for Alternatives Evaluation, a Public Hearing for Preferred Alternatives
and the Review of Environmental Results, a website, newsletters, meetings with agencies and special interest
groups, and a Community Advisory Council (CAC) that will work with McHenry County throughout the entire
Phase I process to achieve their purpose of being a liaison between the public and McHenry County to ensure
community views are expressed and recommendations are made in the best interest of the communities.
Twelve meetings are currently scheduled for the CAC. Membership on the CAC includes elected officials from
local municipalities among other project stakeholders, local agencies, and special interest groups. Citizens are
encouraged to direct concerns and questions to the CAC throughout the duration of the project.
RELATED PROJECTS
There are several on-going and proposed projects that will impact the Randall Road Improvements Study, including:
RAKOW ROAD PHASE I
WIDENING STUDY:
The Rakow Road Phase I Widening
Study was initiated by McHenry
County in October 2005. The limits of
the study are Ackman Road on the
west and Illinois Route 31 on the
east. The study includes the widening
of Rakow Road from two lanes to four
lanes with a median, the realignment
of Rakow Road between McHenry
Avenue and Pyott Road to flatten the
existing large curve, and intersection
improvements. The project schedule
for the Rakow Road Phase I
Widening Study targets Phase I
engineering completion by the end of
2007, Phase II engineering in 2008,
and construction along Rakow Road
to be initiated in 2009. Additional
information on this project can be
found
on
the
internet
at
http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/Common/
CountyDpt/Highway/RakowRoad.asp.
ALGONQUIN ROAD
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT:
Construction along Algonquin
Road was recently initiated by
McHenry County in April
2007. The project includes
the
reconstruction
and
widening along a 4.8 mile
section of Algonquin Road
from IL Rout 47 to Randall
Road. The roadway will be
widened to include two travel
lanes in each direction and
new turn lanes at the key
intersections. This project is
estimated for completion by
the Fall of 2008. Additional
information on this project can
be found on the internet at
www.algonquinroad.info.
OTHER DEVELOPMENT:
There are several other known developments along the Randall
Road study corridor that may influence traffic conditions within
the study area. These developments are either under
construction or proposed for development and are located
along the Randall Road corridor as follows:
Southeast quadrant of Randall Road and County Line
Road Intersection (Algonquin Galleria shopping center
currently under construction).
Southwest quadrant of Randall Road and Harnish Drive
Intersection (land proposed for commercial development).
Northwest quadrant of Randall Road and Miller Road
Intersection (land proposed for commercial development).
Northwest corner of frontage road and Angela Lane
Intersection (Randall North Business Center currently
under construction).
Northeast and Southeast quadrants of Randall Road and
Ackman Road Intersection (CVS currently under
construction and adjacent land is for sale as
residential/commercial development potential).
As the study progresses, other developments may be identified
that will be evaluated as part of the project.
Page 5
RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY
SCHEDULE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why am I receiving a newsletter?
This newsletter is published and mailed
to all identified stakeholders and any
others expressing a desire to keep upto-date on project information.
3. What other ways can I
keep informed on the
study’s progress?
The best way to keep updated
is to check the Randall Road
Improvements Study website
at www.randallroad.info. The
website will evolve and
updates will become more
frequent as the project moves
forward.
2. What is a stakeholder?
Community stakeholders are individuals or organizations/groups with
a stake, an interest, or an investment in a community issue or
outcome. Their interest may stem from a professional or personal
interest in an issue or may result from a commitment to achieve some
outcome.
A first step in achieving meaningful public involvement in project
development involves identifying the individuals and
organizations/groups likely to be affected by the project, those who
have a "stake" in its outcome. For the Randall Road Improvements
Study stakeholders will include owners of property adjacent to the
various alignments, users of the facility, representatives of jurisdictions
in which the alternatives are located, transportation service providers
in the area, and a wide range of interest groups. Stakeholders are
people likely to support the project as well as those likely to oppose it.
The views and feedback of stakeholders are important to receive and
consider during a project to ensure a comprehensive solution is
developed.
4. How can I get involved?
There are two public meetings and one public hearing planned
for the Randall Road Improvements Study. The first public
meeting will be on July 25, 2007. The purpose of the first
meeting is to introduce the project and to solicit information on
the need of the project. There will be a second public meeting in
the spring of 2008 to review preliminary alternatives and a public
hearing in the winter of 2008 to present an overview of the study
and the preferred alternative.
5. Will there be an assessment of
traffic noise impacts to homes
adjacent to the project area?
Yes, traffic noise will be analyzed for
all identified representative receptors
including residences, businesses and
parks in accordance with Illinois
Department of Transportation and
Federal Highway Administration policy
and procedures.
Page 6
RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Wally Dittrich, P.E.
Design Manager
McHenry County Division of Transportation
16111 Nelson Road
Woodstock, IL 60098
815-334-4980 (fax: 4989)
wrdittrich@co.mchenry.il.us
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Public Meeting Open House
July 25, 2007
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Crystal Lake South High School
1200 South McHenry Ave
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Visit the Project Website:
www.RandallRoad.info
MCHENRY COUNTY
DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION
16111 NELSON ROAD
WOODSTOCK, IL 60098