Traveling to Sycamore through DeKalb may be difficult for a short period, while efforts are made to make traveling seamless in the long-term.

Through a large federal project, Bethany Road in northeast DeKalb will be widened. The road will be converted from two lanes to four, which will ease northern access to Kishwaukee Community Hospital, 626 Bethany Road.

Bethany Road will be expanded between North First Street and the east city limits just short of the entrance of the hospital,

The planning and design for the project will be done by Robert H. Anderson and Associates for $269,047.

The project will cost $1.25 million, 80 percent of which will be federally funded. Local funding will come from the Motor Fuel Tax.

Recent changes have necessitated an expansion of Bethany Road.

Bethany Road has developed into a major crosstown bypass in DeKalb increasing traffic levels, said DeKalb Assistant City Manager Linda Wiggins.

When driving on Bethany one can tell the road needs repair, she said.

The project is complicated by the bridge just east of North First Street. Also a stop sign with a flashing red light on top could be needed if the traffic volume calls for it.

Additionally, federal standards increase the cost of the project by piling on several reviews demanded by several interests.

Examples of the required federal environmental reviews include: noise, wetlands, pollution, agricultural also fish and wildlife, said DeKalb City Engineer Joel Maurer.

Paid more than a quarter of $1 million for its role, Robert H. Anderson and Associates will have many tasks to accomplish to pave the way for the enlarged road.

If DeKalb funded the project many extra, costly procedures would not be needed.

There are steps that wouldn’t exist if the project was local, Maurer said.

DeKalb is trying to finish construction by August 2007. However, even with 15 to 16 months this period is not long enough because the city has to review hoop processes and agreements, he said.

It’s kind of a long haul, Maurer said.

The good news is that because the project is done by the city, it becomes easier to establish when a study is not needed, he said.

However, this changes if residents believe a study is needed, Maurer said.

DeKalb involves the public for impact, he said.