An overview of the Wolfs Crossing/Harvey Road roundabout in Oswego, part of a project to widen the roadway. (Village of Oswego photo)

Five months after reopening to drivers after lengthy construction work, the Wolfs Crossing intersection with Harvey Road is shut again. 

But it’s just for a short time and there’s nothing wrong with Oswego’s first roundabout intersection. A planned four-week closure is needed to complete the first segment of an extensive Wolfs Crossing improvement project, according to village officials. 

During the closure, which runs through June 30, the contractor will complete a final surface layer, place permanent pavement markings, install a bike path and sidewalk, landscape and perform other punch-list items.  

Wolfs Crossing will be open to local traffic between Devoe Drive and U.S. Route 43/30, east of Harvey Road. Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs and use caution in the construction zone.  

An eastbound detour will proceed north of Fifth Street to U.S. Route 34 and then head south on U.S. Route 30 until it again intersects with Wolfs Crossing. To travel west, drivers will be detoured to 127th Street until making a turn north on Douglas Road. 

The roundabout is part of a planned expansion of Wolfs Crossing that would create a four-lane road to serve as a community gateway and accommodate future growth. 

The first segment of a multi-year road improvement project at Harvey reopened to traffic in December. Wolfs Crossing has been widened to four lanes from the entrance to Oswego East High School to east of Devoe Drive.  

Along with the roundabout, a new water main from Fifth Street to Devoe Drive was also built to improve water pressure on the east side of the Village.   

Up next is the Wolfs Crossing and Douglas Road segment. Plans are in the works for the road to be widened in this area, along with the construction of another roundabout.  Currently in the design phase, the Douglas project will go to bid in late 2024 and construction is expected to begin in 2025. 

Nearly half of the $10.2 million project cost was funded by federal and state grants. The Village did not increase or impose any new taxes or incur any additional debt to fund the project. Plus, developer impact fees have funded a portion of the project. 

This intersection at Wolfs Crossing and Harvey was planned and constructed first because of its proximity to Oswego East High School and the traffic volume in the area.  

The Village has been planning for the widening of Wolfs Crossing for many years. The Wolf Corridor Advisory Team studied current and projected traffic demands, evaluated road improvement scenarios and sought public input. The advisory team recommended the roundabout design as the most effective and safest way to manage traffic through the corridor. 

“We appreciate the patience of our residents and area drivers during this vital infrastructure project that will make a huge difference for years to come,” said Village President Ryan Kauffman when the roundabout first opened last December.