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Historic Alden Road
McHenry
County
Significance: This
two-lane road in western McHenry County retains its rural character with
mature trees, turn-of-the-century homes and barns, two one-room school
houses, and an old mill. The road starts at the Wisconsin border, intersects
with IL Rte. 173 in the village of Alden, and ends northwest of Woodstock
near IL Rte. 47.
Current Condition and/or
Status: The road currently carries approximately |
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5,000 vehicles a day (maximum),
primarily at its southernmost portion, and less than half of that figure on
the northern portion of the road.
Potential Threat: The
McHenry County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has proposed a seven
mile-long road-widening project that will impact hundreds of mature trees,
several historic properties, and the rural character of the road. Alden Road
is currently 60 feet wide, including right-of-way, and proposed to be
widened to 120 feet, which will include eight foot shoulders. A coalition of
local residents opposes the project and believes the suggested changes are
not necessary to accommodate current or projected traffic needs. The
coalition also fears the project would open this part of the county to sprawl
development. After much public outcry, MCDOT officials stated they would
reevaluate the current plans, but hope to have final designs by spring of
2010.
What You Can Do: Inform
McHenry County Board Members that reconstruction of the road is acceptable
only if it remains within the boundaries of the existing right-of-way and
does not impact irreplaceable historic properties and mature trees.
Other Contacts:
Photos: 1-3 scenic Alden Road, 2009; 4
(above) Cooney School, 1994, (below) Class of 1915 in front of school; 5
yellow arrow indicts the edge of the new road with Cooney school in the
background. Photos courtesy of Alden Road Alliance
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