Tollway Interchange Construction Draws Near

It’s not exactly a Public Enemy No. 1 poster, but for all intents and purposes, the local newspaper clipping hanging on Margo Griffin’s office wall might as well be. Dated 1970, the clipping announces the upcoming construction of a partial interchange at Route 47 and Interstate 90, which, for many years now, has squeezed the best-laid travel and business plans.

“I don’t why they put in the half-center change, as they call it,” Griffin said, “But the town was a lot of smaller back then so it made sense.”

As Huntley’s Business Development Coordinator, Griffin has been involved with plans to upgrade the interchange for the past eight years, a stint that will come to end next month when construction on a full-access interchange is slated to begin. Plote Construction Inc., which won the $35.7 million contract from the Illinois Tollway last March, plans to start construction in late May. The Illinois Tollway referred inquiries about the start to date to Plote.

Even so, Griffin says that just having the project set to begin still is catching some residents and businesses off guard.

“Everybody always asks (when the construction will start), and when we say ‘May’ their response is, “Wow, so soon,’ because it’s always been so far in the distance,” Griffin said. “To know that it’s right here now, it’s news.”

Overall, six ramps, including a much-needed westbound entry to I-90 and an eastbound exit onto Route 47, are being added. Crews also will reconstruct the Route 47 bridge and install traffic signals. The project, scheduled to be completed in 2013, will allow Huntley to become what Griffin calls “a full-service community.”

“Our corporate and industrial parks are going to be much more attractive to businesses who want to relocate here, especially if they do a lot of trucking, because they’re going to want to be close to the tollway,” she said. “So as we attract large businesses, hopefully, the people who’ll be working there will build homes here, go to schools here and shop here. It’s going to have a domino effect.”

Griffin said two Illinois businesses already have expressed interest in relocating to Huntley but declined to reveal which companies. An announcement regarding the businesses is close.

Griffin believes the new interchange will boost incoming traffic to Huntley businesses, too. Among those eager to see the increased traffic is the Huntley Outlet Mall. In an email to Patch, Huntley Outlet Center spokesperson Darcy Kennelly Rutzen said, “A full interchange at I-90 and Route 47 will be a very positive development for the community as a whole as well as Huntley Outlet Center. The interchange will make access to Huntley Outlet Center more convenient for our customers and will be more welcoming for those who live outside the immediate area. We look forward to additional growth in the Huntley area as a result of this improvement.”

Griffin agreed.

“I think it’ll be a tremendous help,” she said. “We’re looking forward to helping them bring more businesses in and, of course, bringing new shoppers to the existing businesses.”

Until the project is completed, drivers should expect construction delays and can keep tabs on the project by visiting the village’s website.

“Before it gets completed, there are going to be some backups, just like there was with the Route 47 widening project,” Griffin said. “But as the project gets closer to being finished and more lanes are opened, that’ll will ease up the traffic.”

The cost of the project is an estimated $69 million with the tollway funding half of the amount with the Illinois Department of Transportation, McHenry County, Kane County and Huntley covering the rest.