​​​​Burlington Road at Bolcum Road

Project Manager: Jennifer O'Connell, P.E.

PROJECT OVERVIEW​

Burington-Bolcum Image

In 2018 the Kane County Division of Transportation retained the professional engineering services of Burns & McDonnell to study the intersection of Burlington Road and Bolcum Road in the Village of Campton Hills. This work included a review of crash history of the intersection, analysis of existing and projected traffic demands, and the development of a preferred concept for future improvements.

The purpose of intersection improvements was to improve the capacity and safety of the existing intersection and the need for this project was driven by increasing traffic volumes, which led to queues on Bolcum Road reaching unacceptable levels during peak periods. The queues impelled impatient drivers to perform risky turning movements, which was a temporary cause of existing crashes. A signal warrant analysis in 2014 demonstrated that improvements to this intersection were prudent and appropriate at this time.

Burns & McDonnell created and evaluated four different design alternatives to consider including a traffic signal, a modern roundabout, an unconventional geometric project and a no-build alternative. After consideration of many factors including: safety, capacity and cost, the preferred design improvement was a modern roundabout. This design choice also complements future development plans in the Village of Campton Hills and includes pedestrian accommodations. The design requires no land purchase and was constructed under traffic (no detour) during the summer of 2020. Intersection lighting was installed as required by roundabout design and complies with the Village of Campton Hills Dark Sky Ordinance.



How to Drive a Roundabout

Roundabouts are designed to make intersections safer and more efficient for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The Washington State Department of Transportation's website provides information about roundabouts and instructions how to safely drive through a roundabout at https://wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/roundabouts/default.htm.

There are a few key things to remember about driving roundabouts:

  • Yield to drivers in the roundabout
  • Do not stop in the roundabout

Want to learn more? You can also download Washington State's Rules of the Roundabout (pdf 1.7 mb) brochure in English and Spanish (pdf 1.7 mb).
SOURCE: Washington State Department of Transportation website