On A Brand New Road

[x]

I've posted pics of old roads (Route 66, the Lincoln Highway, etc.) and pictures of the "road ahead" from various trips and drives. But, one type of road I had not taken pictures of until December 18, 2010, is a BRAND NEW road. I'm not talking just new concrete/pavement ... I'm talking ... brand new ... as in NO pavement had been in that spot previously. For this photo shoot, the "Stearns Road Project":
www.stearnsroad.com/

Stearns Road was extended from IL RT 25 to Randall Rd, providing a much-needed 4-lane bridge across the Fox River between Elgin and St Charles. The only other bridge crossing the Fox River between St Charles (IL RT 64) and Elgin (US RT 20) ... is a very small 2-lane bridge that goes through the heart of South Elgin.


In this pic...
www.stearnsroad.com/Images/support/exhibit.pdf
...the yellow line between Randall and McLean is brand new road, as is the purple line between McLean and IL RT 25.


The extended (brand new pavement) Stearns Road was opened to traffic December 16. I took my inaugural drive on it that Saturday, December 18, and snapped the following pictures.


EAST-bound on original Stearn Rd pavement, approaching the newly-reconfigured & vastly-different intersection w/Dunham Rd & IL RT 25:



EAST-bound on brand new Stearns Rd pavement, after turning right off the pavement that Stearns Rd & IL RT 25 now share for a bit:



EAST-bound on brand new Stearns Rd pavement, approaching the new bridge over the Fox River:



NORTH-bound, after turning off IL RT 31, on re-designed & re-paved McLean Blvd, approaching the brand new Stearns Rd intersection:



WEST-bound on brand new Stearns Rd pavement, just east of the new intersection w/Randall Rd & McDonald Rd:



WEST-bound on brand new Stearns Rd pavement, approaching the McLean Blvd intersection:



WEST-bound on brand new Stearns Rd pavement, about to go under the IL RT 31 bridge:



WEST-bound on brand new Stearns Rd bridge, looking south at the Fox River:



WEST-bound on Stearns Rd/IL RT 25 shared (old) pavement, approaching the newly-reconfigured & vastly-different intersection w/Dunham Rd:



NORTH-bound on IL RT 31, overlooking brand new Stearns Rd pavement:





Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_10.15.11_Volo.IL *
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Who's going to pay attention to your dreams?" ... The Cars ... 'Drive'

[twomanymontes]

Cool! theres really no place for new roads to be built around here anymore. But there is a new bridge and thruway extension that was completed in late fall of last year. I haven't been out to my brother in laws since October, I'll try to remember to take my camera when we go in the the spring.

[x]

I hope you remember to take your camera ... would be cool to see that bridge/thruway extension!


***
This new road's speed limit is 45 MPH, even though the road is a 4-lane beauty with little to no current development. I suspect that will change in the future, though, with all the "growth" along Randall Rd the last few years.

In the meantime, I hope this consideration becomes reality, increasing the speed limit to at least 50 MPH:
couriernews.suntimes.com/3841484-417/kane-looks-at-raising-speed-limit-on-stearns.html


2 additional pics:

EAST-bound on brand new Stearns Rd pavement, rounding the corner to see the intersection w/McLean Blvd:


WEST-bound on brand new Stearns Rd pavement, approaching the McLean Blvd intersection, with the curve from the above picture visible in the distance:




Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_07.30.11_Cold.Treat *
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"What are you gonna do when that new wears off?" __ Shenandoah __ 'See If I Care'

[twomanymontes]

Well, until I do get those pics, here is the DOT info on the project

www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/regional-offices/region5/projects/us-route-219-section5

[x]

Oh my goodness ... small world.

That's the same US Route 219 that runs past my Dad's hometown in PA between Johnstown and Somerset!



Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_04.16.11_Dwight.IL *
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I should've drove all night" __ Bon Jovi __ 'Misunderstood'

[twomanymontes]

I drove it into PA a few years back. don't remember how far exactly. I'd have to see if i can locate the old map and see. but seeing as that was 6 years ago, I probably tossed it, LOL!

[x]

C'mon Dave .... you're killin me...LOL!



Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * RT_06.2011_us66+NW USA
MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I'd try to run, but I don't think I can" __ Waylon Jennings __ 'Ain't Living Long Like This'

[twomanymontes]

What? It's not like I'm lying to ya!

[twomanymontes]

Ok as previously promised, I remembered to take my camera today and snapped a couple pics before my wife started yelling at me to put down the camera and drive, LOL!


As we pulled onto the beginning of the new Route 219 Extention


and a little farther down the road from it's highest point



I was hoping to catch a pic of going over the bridge but I was already in trouble, LOL!

[x]

Holy cow ... Dave got pics! lol

Looks good ... I wouldn't mind driving that a bit myself. I imagine that is the same 219 that cuts down through PA, right through my Dad's home area.



Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic
CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.models.RadioShows.legos.HO.us66 = www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Windows open on the rest of the world" __ Suzy Bogguss __ 'Drive South'

[twomanymontes]

Cort, it does wind through PA. And it was a fun little jog, the new section elevates and then drops and curves down to the bridge where it levels off before the exit. They built it a little beyond the exit for future expansion, Iguess it is eventually supposed to go all the way through to Ellicottvile and meet up with the 219 that leads into PA.

[x]

Figured it was the same one. Always drive 219 when we are back visiting in Dad's home area ... can't avoid it ... LOL! I definitely should take that stretch of 219 in your area someday.....



Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic
* PRE-SURGERY PARTY = ~5:30p-10:30p, Saturday, 10/29/2011 at Beef Villa, 1225 W Spring St, S Elgin IL *
"We'd drive around" __ Cheap Trick __ 'In The Street (That '70s Show)'