Raffel Road detour soon

Woodstock drivers should begin thinking about a detour for the section of Raffel Road between McHenry Avenue (Route 120) and Banford Road.

This section of two-lane roadway is due for reconstruction and paving, starting next week.

Informational signs about the road closure are scheduled to be put in place this week, one for northbound drivers and one for southbound drivers. Then detour signs will be set in place on Monday, May 3rd, and the road will be closed to thru traffic.

Actual milling of asphalt is expected to begin on Thursday, May 6th. The project has a completion date of 50 working days, or July 30th. If the weather is favorable for construction, the project could be wrapped up before July 30th.

Thanks to Woodstock Public Works for the above information.

My guess is that westbound drivers from the northeast part of Woodstock should expect increased traffic on Ware Road, Raffel Road (if drivers cut through the Government Center parking lot to avoid the stop sign at Ware Road and Route 47), and on St. Johns Road.

Watch the speed limit on Ware Road and on St. Johns Road. If you are on Route 47, watch for impatient or distracted drivers trying to enter or cross the northbound lane of Route 47.

The plans for a traffic light that was approved for Ware Road and Route 47 got stalled or abandoned somewhere along the way after being approved by the Woodstock City Council.

It will be interesting to see whether any traffic control by police is needed or provided on westbound Ware Road and St. Johns Road at Route 47 during morning rush hour.