Background
A Cary Grove Senior High student was tragically killed while riding his
bike home from work, along a well-worn dirt path along busy Route 14.
This tragedy created a push for installation of a safer passage between
the two towns.

The improvement project, which cost nearly $1 million dollars, was a
collaborative effort involving the State, Township, and the Villages of Cary
and Fox River Grove. A federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
(CMAQ) grant largely funded the project.

Baxter & Woodman prepared the Phase I project development report, the
Phase II Design, the Final Design, the Plans and Specs, and oversaw the
construction engineering.

Challenge:
Move the 70 foot tall Utility Poles from one side of U.S. Route 14 to the other.
Solution:
Close coordination with ComEd assured the move did not disrupt traffic
flow on busy Route 14.

Challenge:
The steep cross slope created cost as well as design challenges.
Solution:
Innovative solutions were identified for the bridge modification over the Fox River,
and a land bridge was designed with decorative fencing in lieu of a much more
expensive retaining wall.

Challenge:
Funding became a challenge as the project turned out to be more costly than
originally anticipated.
Solution:
Baxter & Woodman assisted the agencies in applying for and receiving additional
CMAQ funds to cover the increased cost of the project.

Results
Through the cooperation and teamwork of several local agencies, two communities
and several private companies, the residents of Cary and Fox River Grove have a
safer way of traveling by foot between the two towns.