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County backs less-invasive Woodstock Road realignment; IDOT weighing single roundabout option
Summary
Highway staff presented three alignment options for the Woodstock Road–Illinois 76 intersection and recommended a third, less-invasive design that reduces farmland impacts and keeps traffic on IL-76. IDOT is reconsidering a single five-leg roundabout; construction is targeted for 2027 under current funding assumptions.
Boone County Highway staff presented revised alignment options for the Woodstock Road–Illinois 76 intersection and recommended a less-invasive alternative that officials said would reduce farmland impacts while maintaining safe speeds on most approaches.
Justin (county highway staff) described three options and said the new option — Option 3 — would require the least new roadway and the smallest farmland take. That option would allow most segments to remain at the posted 55 mph with one 680-foot-radius curve designed for about a 40 mph speed through the realigned segment.
"From a public-input and resource-impact standpoint, I think this is a good viable option," Justin said, noting he had discussed the design with landowners affected by the proposed alignment. Justin also said reducing the number of new roundabouts should keep more traffic on IL-76 rather than shifting volume to Poplar Grove Road, which the county does not want to overload.
Board members raised concerns about the curve geometry and safety; Tom Wahlberg and others requested any softening of the radius that preserves agricultural land where feasible. Justin said the 680-foot radius could be tweaked slightly but that major changes were constrained by overall geometrics and right-of-way limits.
IDOT originally proposed three separate roundabouts (Woodstock, Caledonia and Spring Creek). County staff said IDOT is reconsidering an earlier rejected concept to combine multiple approaches into a single five-leg roundabout; a new IDOT geometrics engineer is reviewing that option.
Staff emphasized the schedule pressure: IDOT has federal funds currently assigned to this project that are expected to expire in 2027. The county must complete environmental reviews, permitting and final design in time for the planned 2027 construction window if it wants to retain those funds.
Ending: The board signaled general support for Option 3 and asked staff to continue coordination with IDOT; no formal vote was taken on April 3. Staff will continue public outreach and refine plans and right-of-way impacts ahead of required environmental and permitting steps for a 2027 construction schedule.
