Or write to:
Illinois Department
of Transportation
2300 S. Dirksen
Pkwy.
Springfield, IL 62764
(217) 782-7820
Features
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Brooks Brestal
(618) 346-3112
JUNE 20, 2003
FAX: (618) 346-3119
TDD (618) 346-3396
COLLINSVILLE, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
will hold a series of three public informational meetings July 7,
8, and 9, 2003 in Troy, Columbia, and Belleville as part of the
corridor protection study for a new transportation facility in the
Metro East. The meetings will be held:
July 7, 2003 4 - 7 pm Triad High School cafetorium 703 East Highway
40, Troy
July 8, 2003 4 - 7 pm Parkview Elementary School cafeteria 1 Parkview
Drive, Columbia
July 9, 2003 4 - 7 pm Southwestern Illinois College cafeteria 2500
Carlyle Avenue, Belleville
The purpose of these meetings is to formally introduce the study,
known as the GatewayConnector, to the public. Roughly 37 miles in
length, the study area extends from the I-55/70 - U.S. 40 interchange
near Troy in Madison County, south and west through St. Clair County,
to I-255 near Columbia in Monroe County.
A feasibility study, conducted from 1999 to 2001, determined the
need for a new corridor. The GatewayConnector study, previously
known as the Route 158 Outer Belt, is focused on conducting the
necessary engineering and environmental evaluations to more precisely
identify a corridor for the purposes of corridor protection. The
study is an opportunity for IDOT and local officials to enhance
a long-range transportation plan that will meet the future needs
of the motoring public, business owners, and area communities. The
study is expected to be completed in Spring 2004.
Handouts and display boards will be available for public review,
as will information regarding engineering, environmental, and other
important issues relating to the study. Representatives from IDOT
and the consultant, MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc., will
be present to discuss the project and answer questions. The meetings
will be held in an open-house format, therefore no formal presentation
will be made. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in
their area to provide their comment, input, and feedback on the
study.
The meeting sites are accessible to disabled individuals. If special
accommodations are needed, arrangements should be made with the
IDOT District Engineer, 1102 Eastport Plaza Drive, Collinsville,
IL 62234-6198. Persons who need a sign language interpreter or other
similar accommodations should notify the District Office three (3)
days before the meeting so arrangements can be made. Special needs
or requests can be made by telephone at 618-346-3161; by fax at
618-346-3119; or by Teletypewriter (TDD) at 618-346-3396.
