Tuesday, December 27, 2005
RR Crossing Gates Coming to Route 176 in Crystal Lake
There are no crossing gates where the McHenry spur crosses Route 176 in Crystal Lake.McHenry County Blog started with this question:
So, why are there railroad crossing gates for Metra’s north spur out of Crystal Lake in McHenry on Bull Valley Road but not in Crystal Lake on State Route 176?
Why do drivers on a county road get protection from the
commuter trains, while those on a state route do not?
Bull Valley Road has had grade crossing gates since 1999.Mike Stead, Rail Safety Program Administrator for the Illinois Commerce Commission told McHenry County Blog that good news is on the way for the Route 176 crossing.
It is scheduled for next spring. Here is the most recent letter from IDOT to the Union Pacific Railroad.
In most cases, state routes in the past did not get gates unless they were deemed necessary by IDOT.
The daily traffic count on Bull Valley Road between Route 31 and Crystal Lake Road was over 15,000 in 2003, the last year for which figures have been published. On Route 176, IDOT reports the 2003 traffic count to be between 16,500 and 17,100.
Incidentally, with the traffic count approaching 20,000 per day, the need for four through lanes is near. I hope local legislators have it on their shopping lists.
One wonders if Governor Rod Blagojevich will be on Route 176 to watch the first commuter train trip the new gates next spring.
