McHenry County Allocates $1 Million to Eliminate Longmeadow Bridge Toll

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The McHenry County Board has approved $1 million in Advance McHenry County funds towards the toll elimination efforts on the soon-to-be open Longmeadow Parkway Bridge over the Fox River.

The bridge is part of the 5.6-mile-long Longmeadow Parkway Corridor and is expected to relieve congestion on Illinois Route 62, which runs through the heart of downtown Algonquin in McHenry County. The bridge will also facilitate an increase in business opportunities in the region after its anticipated opening in the fall of 2024.

“This is an example of regional collaboration at its finest," said McHenry County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, R-Crystal Lake. “Not only are we partnering with our Kane County neighbors, but we're also making a thoughtful and impactful investment in our region's infrastructure and business community without having to charge a toll saving our residents millions of dollars. It's a win, win, win."

A total of $35 million is needed to make the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge toll-free.  Thanks to a bipartisan effort, $30 million was contributed by the General Assembly leaving $5 million to be covered by Kane, Cook and McHenry counties.

“Kane County's objective is to eliminate the toll as a funding mechanism, and the support from McHenry County has brought us closer to achieving that goal," said Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog.  “We are steadfast in taking on the financial responsibility locally to ensure the benefits of the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge remain positive for drivers and the community."

Removing the toll for passenger and typical business vehicles has the potential to save the average user $200 to $300 a year.

​The McHenry County Board has approved over $26.5 million in awards through the Advance McHenry County program to date. The program is funded through American Rescue Plan Act dollars, which have been invested directly into infrastructure capital projects, workforce development and jobs programs, nonprofit agencies, special districts, and local governments.

 You can learn more about the Advance McHenry County initiative, and review approved awards and expenditures, by visiting www.mchenrycountyil.gov/advance.