Rakow Road Reconstruction - Traffic was shifted to the new temporary pavement on the north side, west of Pyott Road last week opening the area for new pavement construction. Work is ongoing to make the same Stage shift east of Pyott Road late this week, to allow the project to go into full production. The resolution of AT&T conflicts at the Virginia Road intersection are taking place currently. A plan has been proposed for a night time ONLY detour and closure of Rakow Road from Virginia Road to IL 31, for a period of about three weeks. This would allow for the construction of 22 road crossings without the interruption of day time traffic, and would allow the contractor added efficiency in constructing the new aggregate base in this area. The temporary traffic signal timings on this project are continuously being monitored and adjusted to maximize their ability to move traffic as efficiently as possible.  We appreciate your patience and extra care in driving through the construction zones.

Sign up for email updates on www.RakowRoad.com or follow us on Twitter @RakowRoad.

Walkup Road Widening, Resurfacing and Multi-use Path Construction - Curb and gutter and pavement widening is complete on the east side at Crystal Springs Road, as is the concrete pathway north of Hillside Road. Traffic has been shifted and the road widening work is now nearing completion on the west side at Crystal Springs Road.  Installation of traffic signal equipment is complete and the new signals will be turned on when final paving and pavement markings are complete. Please Drive Carefully and allow extra time to get through the construction zones. For more information and to sign up for email updates, visit www.WalkupRoad.info.

Dunham Road Bridge Replacement - The new concrete bridge deck was poured on June 9 and mass earth grading is in progress.  The project is scheduled for completion by June 24, however, an unknown abandoned gas main did create a delay which may extend the completion date.

Union Road Bridge Replacement - The preconstruction meeting took place at IDOT on May 13, 2011.  The road closure and detour route went into effect on May 23 and the contract completion date for this work is September 30, 2011.  There will be a marked detour route in effect for the duration of construction using IL 176, IL 23, US 20, West Union Road and North Union Road.  The detour route and additional information will be available at www.mchenrycountydot.org in the near future.

County Pavement Preservation Projects - The low bidder on this project was Arrow Road Construction Company.  This project will provide a heavy mill and overlay on Maple Street, Cary-Algonquin Road and Roberts Road.  The project started on May 17 with milling on Cary-Algonquin Road with Binder course paving underway.  Milling is expected to start on Maple Street next around June 6, with Roberts Road to follow approximately two weeks later.

The County Crack Sealing project started the week of May 23, and will include routing and sealing of pavement cracks on Harmony, Coral, Country Club, Lakewood, Ridgefield and Vermont Roads.

Bids are being accepted on June 13, 2011 for the micro-surfacing of Charles Road from Nelson Road to Greenwood Road.  If the project is awarded to the lowest bidder, it will utilize a very hard Wisconsin granite aggregate. It is expected this material will provide a more durable surface than is possible with locally available aggregates.

Three New Bridge Replacement Projects - On April 29, 2011 in Springfield, IL, bids were taken by the Illinois Department of Transportation on three McHenry County bridge replacement projects. Work will start on all three on June 27, 2011.  They are the Lawrence Road bridge over Lawrence Creek just north of Oak Grove Road, the Dunham Road bridge over Rush Creek west of Illinois Route 23 in Dunham Township, and the Graf Road bridge over Lawrence Creek just north of Oak Grove Road in Chemung Township.   The completion of these projects will eliminate three load posted bridges on the County and Township roadway systems. Watch for notices of road closures, detour maps, and schedules for these projects at www.McHenryCountyDOT.org.

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has confirmed its first rabid bat of the year, found on June 14 on a Woodstock street.  There was no human exposure.  When a bat is found in a home, it is strongly recommended that it not be released but contained in a room, under a bucket or blanket (using gloves as a barrier).  In order to test bats for rabies, it is important they be in good condition (i.e. head is intact) - either alive or recently deceased.  Specimens in good condition and test negative for rabies eliminates the need for rabies treatment following human exposure.  McHenry County Animal Control should be contacted immediately at 815-459-6222.

McHenry County led the State in 2010 with rabid bats (22); bats reported statewide totaled 117.  This year, seven counties (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Macon, Peoria, Will and Winnebago) have already reported rabid bats.  In wild animal, rabies is more common in bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes, but the disease also has been found in deer and in large rodents, such as woodchucks. Cats, dogs and livestock can also get rabies if they are not vaccinated.  A rabies fact sheet is available at the Illinois Dept of Public Health www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbrabies.htm. 

The best way to avoid rabies is to avoid exposure.  Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and can only be confirmed in a laboratory.  Residents are encouraged to take a "hands off" approach to wild animals to reduce their risk of exposure.  Parents also need to educate their children of the dangers.  A bat that is active by day, found in a place where bats are not usually seen (such as in your home, in a swimming pool or on the lawn) or is unable to fly, is more likely than others to be rabid. 

Questions about exposure should be directed to MCDH's Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.

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