Crystal Lake officials approve $1.6M project for Route 14, Virginia Road

One of Crystal Lake’s busiest intersections soon will get a face-lift.

Route 14 at Virginia Road is in dire need of improvements and upgrades, city officials have said.

The intersection is operating at a “poor level of service due to the existing traffic volumes,” city engineer Abigail Wilgreen wrote in a memo to the City Council. “In addition, there are no pedestrian accommodations at the intersection, and the traffic signal equipment is reaching the end of its useful life.”

To remedy the situation, the City Council has approved adding a second left turn lane on Virginia Road, along with an additional eastbound right turn lane on Route 14. The area also will get upgraded traffic signal equipment and provide pedestrian accommodations where feasible.

Route 14 is under the jurisdiction and maintenance of the Illinois Department of Transportation, and Virginia Road is under the jurisdiction and maintenance of the McHenry County Division of Transportation.

The city applied for and was awarded about $1.2 million in federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program funding for the project.

The city, IDOT and McHenry County have signed an intergovernmental agreement, Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley said.

“This project has been in the works for a while,” Shepley said. “It’s an intersection that has needed work for some time. It fits in nicely with the work at Mariano’s.”

The project is scheduled for IDOT letting – getting contracts for the project – in January, and construction is expected to start in the spring. The busy intersection is near the new Mariano’s, 105 Route 14, and dozens of other retailers.

Shepley said the project is expected to cost $1,562,400.40, and federal funding will pay for 80 percent of the project, or $1,249,920. He said IDOT will provide $203,112, and McHenry County will pay $54,111. The city will pay $55,257.

“The best part for Crystal Lake taxpayers is that we’ve kind of spread the cost,” Shepley said. “We’ve received federal grants for this, and there’s been contributions at multiple levels. ... The cost to the taxpayers for the amount of work that we’re getting is really a positive thing.”

Shepley said business is booming in the corridor thanks to the Mariano's and a handful of new and upcoming businesses, such as Ulta Beauty,
5774 Route 14; Jump!Zone play place, 5593 Route 14; and Steinhafels,
5846 Route 14, which is expected to open in the coming months.

Shepley also highlighted the city’s efforts to attract investments in the “truly business-friendly environment.”

“All ships rise with the tide,” Shepley said. “By attracting businesses that bring people to that corridor, it helps all businesses in the corridor. ... We have, over the last decade, invested so much time and energy into filling vacant shopping and retail stores.”

When questioned about possible congestion caused by the construction, Shepley said he doesn’t expect the project to cause too much hassle to motorists.

“It won’t be an exceptionally long project,” he said, adding that the exact completion date is not yet known.

Scott Offord, co-owner of Country Donuts, which sits kitty-corner to Mariano’s at 181 W. Virginia St., said he’s never seen the area so busy. He has owned the business for almost 40 years.

“It’s generally good for us,” he said.

During peak periods of traffic is a problem, Offord said, but he doesn’t want a drawn-out construction period.

“More construction disrupts our business,” he said. “I think we have adequate capacity here. I think more could be done with the lights and traffic flow instead of physically adding lanes.”