Patrick Engineering presents Kreutzer Realignment Project proposal to Village Board

HUNTLEY – The concept to improve Kreutzer Road 400 feet east of Route 47 to Haligus Road was presented by Patrick Engineering at the Village Board meeting on Dec. 9. The board will decide whether or not to go forward with the Kreutzer Road Realignment Project by the end of January.

The project entails an additional center lane on Kreutzer Road to allocate more space for trucks to back into the loading docks. Surrounding traffic will then be able to drive around this pause in traffic flow, Project Manager Jeff Pisha said.

“In the middle of the section, six closely spaced driveways serve loading docks for trucks. A center lane that separates traffic [will] provide an area for trucks to maneuver to enter loading docks,” Pisha said.

The analysis Patrick Engineering conducted showed no accidents linked to one fewer lane on Kreutzer Road.

At the railroad crossing on Kreutzer Road, there’s a series of horizontal curves, Pisha said. The crossing is at an angle, making it difficult for drivers to maneuver, Village Manager David Johnson said. The project, if accepted, would straighten it out.

The existing multi-use bike and walk path on Kreutzer Road will eventually connect into the Route 47 path under this plan, Pisha said. In addition, Patrick Engineering will install curbs and gutters and lighting along the roadway.

Following the proposal, some board members expressed their concerns with the project, such as the possibility of purchasing surrounding land to compensate for the expansion in this project.

“I think the apprehension may be because there’s probably no perfect solution to all the issues that are out on this roadway, in addition to 12 million dollars [being] a lot of money,” Johnson said.

The Village Board did not make a decision, but the proposal is expected to be presented to the public for input before the end of January.

“Then we’d be back in front of that board and ask for considerations to move forward with the phase two engineering,” Johnson said.

The total cost of the project amounts to $12,002,450.

If the conceptualization of the project is accepted by the public and Village Board, phase two will begin following February 2022. Phase two will last 18-24 months, consisting of finalizing the design and preparing contract plans; securing permits and agency approvals; negotiating property agreements; and advertising construction.

Phase three will follow and initiate the construction process.