Decades-long Longmeadow Bridge project officially debuted to the public in a ribbon-cutting ceremony
KANE COUNTY — After decades of planning, construction, and anticipation, the Longmeadow Parkway Fox River Bridge Corridor was finally opened to the public in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place on Aug. 29. This monumental infrastructure project, which began in the early 1990s, according to Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) Engineer and Director of Transportation Carl Schoedel, had been one of the longest and most ambitious in the region’s history.
The completion of the bridge marks a significant achievement in engineering and public policy, as the structure will be toll-free for all users thanks to the bipartisan efforts of several state government officials and grants.
The Longmeadow Bridge is a four-lane minor arterial roadway corridor, approximately 5.6 miles in length, and was constructed to help alleviate traffic congestion in northern Kane County. The proposed road also passes through portions of the Villages of Algonquin, Carpentersville, and Barrington Hills, as well as unincorporated areas of Kane County. The new roadway alignment was constructed from just west of the Huntley/Boyer Road intersection east to Route 62.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Longmeadow Bridge project is that it was completed without the need to implement tolls. Initially, there were concerns that the bridge would require tolling to cover the $35 million cost of construction.
However, Kane County Board Madam Chair Corinne Pierog began rallying assistance from other government officials which eventually led State Representative Suzanne Ness (D-Crystal Lake), State Representative Anna Moeller (D-Elgin), State Senator Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), and State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) to lobby for additional funds at the General Assembly. This led to a contribution of $30 million towards the project, leaving $5 million to be covered by Kane, Cook, and McHenry counties.
“With the completion of work on the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge we are not only modernizing a key stretch of roadway to improve the safety and capacity and efficiency of this corridor, we’re also saving Illinoisans time and money,” stated Governor JB Pritzker.
Back in 2023, McHenry County Board Chairman Mike Buehler announced that the board had approved $1 million in “Advance McHenry County” funds towards the toll elimination efforts of the bridge project.
“This is an example of regional collaboration at its finest,” said Buehler. “Not only are we partnering with our Kane County neighbors, but we are also making a thoughtful and impactful investment in our region’s infrastructure and business community without having to charge a toll saving our residents millions of dollars. It’s a win, win, win.”
The completion of the bridge is expected to have a profound impact on the region. It will significantly reduce travel time across multiple municipalities, easing congestion on existing routes and providing a new option for commuters, tourists, and commercial traffic.
“Longmeadow Parkway provides direct access to Algonquin’s corporate campus with thousands of acres of fully serviced shovel-ready land. Because of Longmeadow Parkway, NorthPoint Development is making a $152 million investment for five buildings totaling 1.7 million square feet across nearly 148 acres,” said Village of Algonquin President Debby Sosine. “This one project is anticipated to generate more than $25 million in wages as well as $1.1 million in payroll taxes that’ll go to the state of Illinois.”
The Longmeadow Parkway Bridge is now open, toll-free, to all who wish to cross. This milestone achievement serves as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished through perseverance, collaboration, and a commitment to serving the public good.
