A bypass of the Algonquin intersection of Routes 31 and 62 has been studied multiple times since the 1980’s due to the fact that these highways carry a large percent of traffic in the region.

Illinois 31 is one of the most congested roads Illinois, partly because it is required to do double duty as a street and as a highway.

McHenry County, which includes the intersection of Routes 31 and 62, was recently cited in U.S. News and World Report as being the seventh most congested county in the United States and the most congested in Illinois.

Current federal transportation law has set aside $19 million to build this bypass and widen Illinois Route 31.

Thirty-eight million dollars were set aside by the State of Illinois to complete this project in 2000.

Because of delays and increases of the scope of the project, the estimated cost for the Western Bypass is nearly 80 million.

McHenry County has been recipient of only 62 cents for every local dollar sent for transportation to the State of Illinois.

McHenry County has other major transportation projects that have received federal earmarks needing state matching funds or those funds may be lost, specifically the widening of State Route 47 from 190 North to Woodstock, Richmond Bypass, and Route 31 widening between Crystal Lake and Algonquin.

The western Bypass of Algonquin has recently been removed from IDOT’s five year plan.

These major transportation projects are critical to the Citizens of McHenry County.

As Citizens of this County we petition the State Of Illinois to:

• Immediately restore the $38 million in funding for the Algonquin Western Bypass, and add the necessary increases that have incurred due to years of delay

• Put McHenry County on an equal transportation footing with other congested counties in northeastern Illinois

• Accelerate funding sources for other McHenry County projects

• Include all eligible McHenry County roadways in the State five-year and Long range Capital Improvement Programs