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Prior to the start of the current Preliminary Engineering Study,
IDOT had completed a corridor protection study. The corridor protection
study began in March of 1999 as a proactive approach to evaluating
the ability to develop a north-south transportation corridor between
Interstate 80 and Interstate 88. This study was initiated because
of concerns that development patterns and increasing travel demands
could overload the existing transportation network in Grundy, Kendall,
and Kane counties. Through that study, several north-south corridors
were investigated that would connect the major transportation routes
of I-80 and I-88, yet still provide access to existing state and
US highways. The corridor protection study examined constraints,
including urban areas and existing development, planned growth,
floodways, wetlands, parks and preserves, and threatened and endangered
species.
Based on this analysis, IDOT elected to use the Corridor Protection
process to select a possible transportation corridor and protect
that corridor while it was still reasonably undeveloped and open.
In this manner, impacts to future developed areas would be minimized
and private and public planners would have time to develop plans
that would complement such a facility. A public hearing was held
on Dec. 11, 2001 to present three corridors to the public for their
review and comment. On July 31, 2002, the Illinois Secretary of
Transportation signed the Record of Hearing for the Prairie Parkway
Corridor Protection approving the modified Central Corridor. This
Corridor Protection Map was recorded in Grundy, Kendall, and Kane
Counties.
Much like your community may have a future roadway included in
their community master plan; the corridor protection does the same
for a regional plan. Such a designation doesn't necessarily indicate
a current need for an improvement, but the corridor protection process
does preserve a possible location for a transportation investment
when and if that investment is needed.
During the studies that led to the recording of the Central Corridor,
IDOT recognized the need to take a comprehensive look at the transportation
system of the study area. A formal detailed Preliminary Engineering
Study for this purpose was proposed by IDOT, and federal funding
was obtained. On December 20, 2002, IDOT announced the beginning
of this Preliminary Engineering Study.
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