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Project Overview
Scope of the project
Illinois Route 3 will be improved from Vandebrook Drive to
North Market Street. Exactly what the improvements will
entail will be determined during the Context Sensitive
Solutions (CSS) process and the Phase I study.
The concept of context sensitive solutions (CSS) has been
evolving in the transportation industry since the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 required transportation
agencies to address project stakeholders and consider the
possible effects of transportation projects on the
environment. It has since evolved into a policy in Illinois
that provides an interdisciplinary approach to projects that
seeks effective, multi-modal transportation solutions by
working with stakeholders to develop, build, and maintain
cost effective transportation facilities which fit into the
project's surroundings - it's context. A stakeholder is
someone who could be affected by the project and has a
"stake" in the success or failure of the project. A Citizen
Advisory Group, or CAG, will be formed for the project. The
CAG is a group of stakeholders that provide input and
response to ideas and focus the views, concerns, and values
of the communities.
Crash History
A total of 348 crashes
have occurred in the project area between 2003 and 2009 resulting in 92 crashes
involving injuries. The majority of crashes are rear end, turning, and angle
crashes occurring at the intersections. This may be attributed to a number of
causes such as congestion, turn lanes that are too short, or the need for
additional turn lanes among other things. A crash analysis will be performed as
part of this project to determine what, if any, improvements can be made to
reduce the potential of future crashes.
Project Development Process
Phase I is the
preliminary engineering phase. During this phase, data collection, engineering
and environmental analyses will be performed on the alternatives developed in
order to select a preferred alternate. A project report is developed that
documents this process. The land acquisition process will begin toward the end
of this phase. This phase will take approximately 24 months.
Phase II is where plans, specifications, and estimates will
be prepared so that the project can be placed on a letting
for construction by a contractor. The plans will be prepared
in accordance with the approved Phase I project report.
Negotiation with property owners for the purchase of any
needed right of way and easements will occur during this
phase. This phase will take approximately 24 months.
Phase III is the actual construction of the project using
the plans developed in Phase II. This phase will take
approximately 24 to 36 months, depending on the type of
improvement being constructed.
Funding Status
All engineering and construction is funded and included in the Department's FY 2012-2017 Highway Improvement Program. |
