Intersection of Charles and Raffel is expected to open around Sept. 1
A delay in construction on a roundabout at the intersection of Charles and Raffel roads will force a temporary change in bus routing when the school year begins.
Installation of the $2.2 million roundabout, located just north of Woodstock’s city limits, has been delayed by inclement weather, the McHenry County Division of Transportation announced.
The intersection, which is currently closed, was due to open to traffic on Friday, Aug. 11, prior to the start of the school year in Woodstock. But a rainy spring and summer has delayed work on the single-lane roundabout, and now McDOT expects it to open to traffic around Friday, Sept. 1.
Classes in Woodstock School District 200 begin Thursday, Aug. 17.
“Until the roundabout opens, we will follow a rerouting plan, exactly as we did for summer school this year, to continue providing excellent service to all of our families,” Diane Carter, District 200’s director of transportation, wrote in an email.
District 200’s transportation department is headquartered at 11401 Charles Road, about a half-mile east of the construction site. Woodstock North High School, 3000 Raffel Road, is located about a half-mile south of the new roundabout.
Detours have been in place for portions of Charles and Raffel roads since May 30.
Installation of curbs and gutters at the construction site was scheduled to begin this week, according to McDOT.