McHenry County Board Considers Speed Limit Reductions on Local Roads

The McHenry County Board is contemplating reduced speed limits on several roads, following a recent vote by the County Board’s transportation committee. The committee approved two out of five proposed reductions, with the full County Board scheduled to make final decisions at its meeting on March 5, 2024, at 19:00 at the County Administration Building located at 667 Ware Road in Woodstock.

Residents in the Lakemoor area are advocating for a more significant reduction on Lincoln Road between Margaret Court and Cassandra Lane. The current speed limit of 45 mph is proposed to be lowered to 40 mph; however, local residents have requested a limit of 30 or 35 mph due to safety concerns. This segment of Lincoln Road is situated close to residential subdivisions and educational institutions, prompting fears that speeding vehicles pose a danger to the community.

John Ripkey, a resident who lives off Lincoln Road, expressed frustration over the speed of passing vehicles, stating that some have been recorded traveling between 60 to 70 mph. Over the 25 years he has lived there, he claimed there have been 27 rollover accidents in the vicinity, a figure that remains to be independently verified. Ripkey urged the board to conduct further studies on the area to reassess speed limits.

Another resident, Kathy Dam, highlighted the ongoing construction of new townhouses at the end of Lincoln Road near Route 12. She emphasized that this development, along with a nearby subdivision off Bay Road, would likely increase traffic on Lincoln Road as residents seek access to amenities in McHenry, including the Riverwalk, shopping, and dining options. Dam also pointed out the proximity of McHenry Middle School at the intersection of Chapel Hill and Lincoln roads, expressing concern for the safety of children who may want to ride their bikes in the area. She shared her anxiety about potential accidents, stating, “I don’t want to see some kid get killed and his books are laying out in the middle of Lincoln Road.”

Board member Brian Sager proposed a more substantial reduction of 10 mph instead of the suggested 5 mph. However, the committee ultimately approved only the smaller reduction. Darrell Kuntz, Assistant County Engineer, clarified that the county has regulations that allow speed reductions of only 10 mph at a time. The proposed reduction for Lincoln Road stems from a speed study conducted on all the roads under consideration.

In addition to Lincoln Road, the County Board will also deliberate on the following speed limit proposals:

– Chapel Hill Road between Bay Road and Charnbrook Drive in Johnsburg, proposed to decrease from 45 mph to 40 mph. This reduction was voted down by the committee.
– Hickory Nut Grove Road between South Rawson Bridge Road and Tuxedo Lane near Cary, with a proposed reduction from 45 mph to 40 mph, which the committee approved.
– Mason Hill Road from Valley Hill Road to just west of Cherry Valley Road in Bull Valley, proposed to reduce from 45 mph to 40 mph. This proposal was voted down.
– South Union Road between Ackman and Ernesti roads near Huntley, proposed to decrease from 55 mph to 50 mph, which the committee also voted down.

While speed studies have been conducted on various roads throughout the county, officials did not propose additional speed limit changes based on these findings.

The upcoming board meeting promises to be a crucial opportunity for community members to voice their concerns and for the County Board to evaluate the recommendations made by the transportation committee.