Why build the Red Gate Bridge?

Posted March 5th, 2010 in city projects, general by btownsend
During the recent public hearing and comment period regarding the Red Gate Bridge project, there were questions raised about the need for the project. Some even questioned whether traffic congestion in St. Charles was significant enough to warrant action.
 
The idea of constructing a bridge north of St. Charles was first raised in the 1920s. In fact, the St. Charles Comprehensive Plan from 1928 mentioned a river crossing at Red Gate Road. Since that time, the project has been the subject of a great deal of study and debate.
 
In 1992, a multi-jurisdictional task force recommended that governmental agencies focus on bridges at 3 main locations:
 
 

  1. a “local, in-town” bridge in St. Charles
  2. a sub-regional bridge at Red Gate Road
  3. a regional bridge near the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad (Stearns Road)

   

  

The City constructed the in-town bridge at Prairie Street. Kane County was recommended to be the responsible party for the Red Gate Bridge, but later chose to focus its energy on the Stearns Road Bridge. Since that time, the City of St. Charles has proceeded with plans for the bridge at Red Gate Road, despite some minor objections from the neighboring Village of Wayne and others who live in close proximity to the bridge location.  

To summarize, the purpose of the project is fourfold:  

  1. to serve community growth and to improve connections between the east and west sides of northern St. Charles,
  2. to reduce traffic volumes and congestion on the IL 64/Main Street Bridge,
  3. to improve emergency vehicle access for emergency vehicles in northern St. Charles and the surrounding area, and
  4. to improve roadway system continuity and operations.

The Stearns Road bridge will help to achieve these goals as well, but will not have the direct benefits of a bridge in St. Charles to serve St. Charles for the benefit of St. Charles.  

The project study area extends along the Fox River, generally from IL 31 to IL 25 between IL 64/Main Street and the City’s municipal limits, just north of Red Gate Road—a distance of roughly 3 miles.  

To view conceptual drawings of the Red Gate Bridge, click here.  

There is tremendous community support for the project. Fox River Traffic Congestion Poll Results and 2009 Priorities Survey and 2009 Priorities Survey – Pie Chart demonstrate this.  

At this time, financial analysis shows that no new taxes or tax increases are needed to construct the Red Gate Bridge. We will use a combination of federal, state, and local funding sources for the project.  

St. Charles will continue to push for the completion of this necessary transportation improvement.  

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