Oswego’s Top Priority: Improving intersection of Wolfs Crossing and Route 30

With 16,800 cars per day passing through the intersection of Wolfs Crossing and Route 30 in Oswego, the intersection sees the most amount of traffic of any intersection along the Wolfs Crossing Corridor.

Village officials are asking state legislators for help Oswego in obtaining $15 million from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Highway Improvement Plan to assist in funding improvements to the intersection.

“It is something that we are desperately wanting to get widened because we are well aware of the traffic burden on the entire community,” Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman said in addressing state legislators during a legislative breakfast at Oswego Village Hall on Jan. 21.

State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego and state Rep. Matt Hanson, D-Montgomery, attended the breakfast along with representatives from the offices of state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris and state Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville.

The cost of improving the intersection is estimated at $20 million. Improvements would include putting in four lanes on Route 30 with dedicated left-turn lanes along with putting in four lanes on Wolfs Crossing from Devoe Drive to Eola Road with dedicated left and right turn lanes at Route 30.

Village officials said improving the intersection would help out in several ways, including creating safer routes to schools and more efficient traffic flow. The improvements would also spur economic development at the intersection and encourage more residential growth along the corridor, officials said.

Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2029. In December 2023, the village’s first roundabout opened at Wolfs Crossing and Harvey Road as part of the first segment of the Wolfs Crossing improvement project.

Wolfs Crossing is a east-west corridor in Oswego that spans 4.5 miles, from Route 34 to Eola Road. The improvement project is divided into 10 segments.

The goal is to widen Wolfs Crossing from a two-lane rural road with no sidewalk to a five-lane urban cross section.

The project is expected to cost more than $100 million. To date, the village has committed $22.5 million to the project.

Hudson Crossing pedestrian bridge replacement

The Oswegoland Park District also spoke to state legislators at the breakfast about their financial needs, which includes replacing the Hudson Crossing pedestrian bridge.

The pedestrian bridge which connects to the popular Hudson Crossing Park in downtown Oswego needs to be replaced. According to Oswegoland Park District officials, the bridge deck is deteriorating and soon will be unsafe for pedestrians and will have to be permanently closed if not demolished altogether.

“What we are asking for is assistance in finding some dollars to complete the engineering study, which we estimate will be around $300,000, in order to set us up to apply for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grant to replace the deck of the bridge,” Oswegoland Park District Executive Director Tom Betsinger told state legislators.

He said replacing the deck would cost between $3 million and $4 million.

“We believe that connection to this community is vital,” Betsinger said. “Connection is critical to a community, for being able to travel from east to west to safely cross the Fox River.”

He noted the pedestrian bridge is the only safe bike and pedestrian crossing of the Fox River for at least one mile in either direction.

“We would really love to be able to get that project handled so we can continue to provide that connection to this community to the heart of the downtown,” Betsinger said.

The Park District hopes to start the project in 2027 and complete it in 2029.

Fund River Shoreline Acquisition for Public Access

The Oswegoland Park District is seeking up to $1 million for land acquisition of river shoreline for riverfront park development. The Hudson Crossing Park, which is located along the Fox River, is one of the Park District’s most popular parks.

“Connecting the community to nature we believe is vital and important to a healthy community,” Betsinger said.

Fund Land Acquisition for Future Community Park

The park district is seeking up to $5 million for land acquisition for a future community park and indoor recreation center.

“As this community continues to grow, we are looking for a future large community park, 80 to 100 acres, geographically centered where we can continue to serve this community,” Betsinger said.

Hanson asked if the park district had decided yet where a future community park and indoor recreation center could be located.

“There are a couple of different areas,” Betsinger replied. “Some of it is also dependent on when land becomes available.”