Eldamain Road Extension Spurs Economic Development

Challenge: The Kendall County Highway Department (KCHD) wanted to extend Eldamain Road (CH 7) south, from River Road to High Point Road (south of IL 71), creating a new crossing over the Fox River. The new and improved transportation corridor will alleviate high traffic volumes, including a large number of trucks traveling through downtown Yorkville on IL 47, which causes congestion and limits access to businesses.

Solution: Eldamain Road currently stretches from Galena Road to River Road in Kendall County. The section of Eldamain Road between US 34 and River Road was previously widened and reconstructed in 2019 (construction Contract A) as part of the overall project. The improvements between US 34 and River Road included a new bridge over Rob Roy Creek and a partial realignment of the roadway to eliminate a series of substandard reverse curves that previously existed between Schaefer Road and Cummins Drive.

Phase III engineering for construction Contract B is underway and includes the extension of Eldamain Road south of River Road. The section between River Road and IL 71 will be constructed on a new alignment and includes a new 1,557’ long, 8-span steel plate girder bridge crossing the Fox River. The bridge abutments and piers are designed to carry a flair and future four-lane superstructure. Initially, the new bridge will provide two (2) lanes with a 10-foot multi-use path, separated by a barrier, and will be expandable to four (4) lanes with a path in the future.

Contract B provides for a modern roundabout at the Eldamain Road intersection with the west leg of Fox Road. New traffic signals are installed at the Eldamain Road intersections with IL 71 and River Road, while the existing traffic signals at US 34 were modified as part of Contract A to accommodate the widened south leg. The overall Eldamain Road Extension project, from US 34 to High Point Road, is 4.75 miles in length and is expected to cost approximately $40 million dollars.

Benefit: The Eldamain Road extension project benefits motorists traveling through Kendall County, specifically residents and commuters near Plano and Yorkville. The expanded corridor provides another Fox River Bridge crossing which will make north-south travel in the area much more efficient. The new corridor will bring new development opportunities to Kendall County, specifically those benefiting commercial and industrial growth.

Over the last few years, several developments have been implemented along Eldamain Road, and many more are showing interest in this corridor. The County highway was constructed with safety in mind by including raised medians separating the north and south lanes of traffic. The Eldamain Road extension project is well received by both residents and local businesses.