An inconvenient detour

Who makes decisions for NIXLE reports?

This afternoon a crash on U.S. 14 closed the highway northwest of Woodstock. From information in the following NIXLE release, the crash must be west of Hartland Road, since the intersection of U.S. 14 and Hartland Rd./Hughes Rd. seems to be open.

Eastbound traffic was re-routed to the south. For through eastbound traffic it would be a huge inconvenience to have to return north to U.S. 14 - read on...

Here's the NIXLE press release:

"The Sheriffs’ Office is currently investigating a traffic crash near Rt. 14 and Hartland Road in Woodstock. The crash involved a semi-truck and another vehicle. The load is being cleaned up and Route 14 is expected to be closed for approximately 2 to 3 hours. Please take alternate routes of travel if possible.

"Eastbound Traffic on Rt. 14: South on Dimel Rd., East on Kishwaukee Valley Rd, and North on Hughes Rd. to get back onto Route 14.
Westbound Traffic on Rt. 14: South on Hughes Rd., West on Kishwaukee Valley Rd. and North on Dimel Rd to get back onto Route 14."

Note that eastbound traffic is being diverted south on Dimel (sic) Road. Once it gets to Kishwaukee Valley Road, why wouldn't most eastbound drivers want to continue east to the traffic light at U.S. 14 and then turn back onto U.S. 14 there? Local drivers might know to do so, but others will backtrack two miles north to U.S. 14 and then curve those two miles back and cross Kishwaukee Valley Road at the light!!!

Didn't the person at the sheriff's department check on the spelling of Dimmel Road (there are two m's in Dimmel) before hitting Send to NIXLE? I guess not.

Why didn't the person at the MCSD include a route of straight ahead to U.S. 14 for eastbound drivers?

It would be tough to get a sign out on U.S. 14 at Kishwaukee Valley Road to direct through westbound traffic on U.S. 14 to turn left there, go west to Dimmel Road and then north to re-join U.S. 14. But thorough planning between the sheriff's department and IDOT or the McHenry County Highway Department could result in changeable lettering signs being available on short notice.

When a highway is going to be closed for 2-3 hours or more, why not do something to alert drivers and facilitate smooth traffic handling?