The McHenry County Board’s Transportation Committee voted to turn over Fleming Road, which runs north-south through Bull Valley to the village.
This is the second time Fleming Road has made the committee.
The first was when village caught wind of the possibility of that narrow country road being the right-of-way for a truck bypass for Woodstock.
Adding credence to that fear was a major intersection traffic light at Route 120 and Fleming Road.
Led by future Bull Valley President Emily Berendt, residents put a major effort to prevent the scenic, winding road, the shoulders of which are covered with daffodils each spring, from being desecrated.
This was in response to County Highway Department’s proposal to widen the road, complete with typical shoulders, which would take out most of the spring flowers.
Eventually, McHenry County decided just to repave the existing right-of-way.
It didn’t take many years before Fleming Road deteriorated.
Now, the village has cut a deal with the county to take over Fleming Road maintenance in return for $4 million for improving the route that runs from Country Club Road to Route 120.
