Traffic feasibilty study has village circling around Dundee/Kreutzer roundabout

HUNTLEY — Tim Farrell, Village Director of Public Works and Engineering, presented a resolution at the January 12 meeting of the Village Board to “authorize a $70,000 Professional Services Agreement with the Christopher B. Burke Engineering firm for a feasibility study for a roundabout at the intersection of Huntley-Dundee Road and Kreutzer Road.”

According to Farrell, this resolution was the follow-up to a board directive of August 11, 2022, “for staff to include a Huntley-Dundee Road and Kreutzer Road RAB (roundabout) in the FY2023 Budget.”

He concluded that “staff has reviewed a proposal from Christopher B. Burke Engineering and is submitting it for board approval.”

As background, Farrell reported that “During the 5‐year period of 2012‐2016 there were a total of 26 crashes; one with a fatality and three with incapacitating injuries. During the 5‐year period of 2017‐2021 there were a total of 22 crashes; no fatalities and two with incapacitating injuries.

Alternatives to an RAB were considered and have been included in the Village’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan since 2018.

Mayor Hoeft asked Trustees for comments and/or questions regarding the RAB and the feasibility study itself.

Trustee Goldman stated, “I am not in favor of putting a roundabout in that area as it would take too much of the surrounding farm land away. A less expensive and more logical solution would be to straighten out a section of the land which curves, and then put in a three way stop with those flashing LED lights on each stop sign.”

She added, “The Board has been split on this issue.  Either it will be a tiny circle so that much of the farmland is intact which means that trucks are going to have a hard time navigating the circle or it will so big that the land usage will cut into where the crops are grown.”

Trustee Wexford said, “I know RAB are unpopular in Illinois. But there are several studies that say how much safer they are than a signal.” He concluded, “That is a very dangerous intersection. Put the RAB in and get over it.”

Trustee Holzkopf asked, “Will farm equipment be able to go safely around the circle?” She added, “will the study evaluate the possible size and load on a truck using the circle?” Farrell assured her that those questions would be addressed as part of the study.

Trustee Kanakaris asked if “the study is just for an RAB?” Farrell said that it was. Kanakaris concluded that he “the study should proceed.”

When asked for a comment on the study, Mayor Hoeft replied, “We have had multiple discussions at board meetings in the past 6 months concerning this item. I think we need to explore all of the options available for that specific intersection to make a well-informed decision.”

The board’s vote was four in favor with Goldman and Leopold voting no.

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