FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November
10, 2006
Contact: Matt Vanover
Phone:
(217) 558-0517
THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS ON
PRAIRIE PARKWAY TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
IDOT
has scheduled public hearings on December 6, 2006 and December 7, 2006 to
obtain public testimony on the alternatives for the construction of an access
controlled, four-lane limited access freeway between I-80 and I-88 in Grundy,
Kendall, and Kane counties, and the widening of IL-47 to four lanes from I-80
to Caton Farm Road. Detailed
alternatives have been identified as Alternatives B2 and B5. Alternative B2 is generally a straight
north-south connector segment between I-80 and I-88 located four miles west of
existing IL-47 connecting to I-80 near
All persons interested in this project are invited to attend. The hearings will be open house format, with a question and answer session at each meeting. Throughout the evening, people will have the opportunity to enter their comments into the public record regarding the B2 Alternative, the B5 Alternative, and the no-action alternative. The IDOT representatives will answer individual questions and record comments offered by those in attendance. Verbatim comments will not be recorded.
The presentation will address topics such as the need for
the project, the design alternatives under consideration, right of way
acquisition and relocation assistance, change of access issues, environmental
impacts, and the next steps of the study.
The alignment of the two build alternatives resulted from IDOT’s
environmental field investigations, engineering studies and public input. IDOT
worked closely with environmental groups, landowners, communities, agencies,
and the Corridor Planning Group to identify and evaluate these potential
alternatives. The Draft Environmental
Assessment, exhibits, and engineering analysis with drawings, maps, and aerial
photography will be available for viewing during the hearings. This same information will be available for
viewing at the IDOT District 3 Office,
The Corridor Planning Group is a volunteer group led by elected officials of the counties and municipalities affected by the improvements. These officials are supported by technical task forces members selected from entities such as farm bureaus, economic development councils, forest preserve districts, and environmental conservation groups with experience and knowledge of issues related to land use planning, environmental resources, and transportation. They bring a local perspective to the effects the potential alternatives may have in their own communities. IDOT has worked with them to develop alignments that best blend factors such as providing the most travel benefits, compatibility with future land use plans, and minimizing impacts to the scenic, economic, historic, and natural qualities of the communities.
The
Prairie Parkway Preliminary Engineering Study began in 2002. Throughout the process, IDOT has placed a
high priority on extensive public involvement as an important aspect to guide
the study. IDOT has made significant
realignments to the corridors throughout the study area that resulted from
public involvement and other findings.
Following these hearings, public comment and other study findings will
be considered to develop the recommended Alternative.
The
two public hearings will be held at:
Date: Wednesday,
December 6, 2006 Thursday,
December 7, 2006
Time: 5:30
p.m. – 8 p.m. 5:30
p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location:
* Presentation and question & answer session at
6:30 p.m. each night
The
public is invited and encouraged to attend at any time during the public
hearings. In the open houses, the public
will be able to review exhibits and discuss the study with representatives from
IDOT. A presentation by IDOT
representatives followed by a question and answer session will start at 6:30
p.m. each night.
Both public hearing sites are accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are needed, please contact IDOT’s office at 815-434-8435, or TTY 815-434-8510.
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