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What do I do if my property is now inside the B5 alignment?
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What happens to the recorded corridor thats been in place since 2002?
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My property is within the Corridor Protection, but the new alignments do not go through my property. Can IDOT remove the Corridor Protection now?
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What changes have you made to the alignments as a result of public comment?
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Why not just widen IL-47?
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How will the Prairie Parkway affect growth in the region?
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What are the next steps in the study?
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What does it take to override a sensitive environmental area? Can a highway be built in a rich environmental area (i.e., creeks, woods, wetlands, endangered species, etc.)?
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How long will it take to finish this study? When can we expect the improvements to be built?
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Will the new federal funding accelerate the study schedule?
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How can I keep informed on the study's progress?
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How much input and influence will the general public have on the study process?
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How will you measure the impacts on existing roadways?
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Why was the initial Corridor Protection Study conducted?
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Should local developers and officials assume that the corridor will "stay put" in its present location?
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Will building a new road encourage sprawl?
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How will potential new roads affect safety?
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How will the study address impacts to the environment from proposed transportation improvements?
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How will you consider the proposed Peotone airport in your studies?
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Will other forms of transportation be considered as a solution?
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Where do you get your information for the "needs" portion of the study?
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If transportation options are studied, how will you assess the impacts on local services and the accelerated growth stimulated by these options?
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Will local jurisdiction needs and requests be considered in the routing and design - i.e. the location of interchanges near municipalities?
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If the Prairie Parkway is built, how do you plan on preserving our natural resources along the route?
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How does the removal of farmland from cultivation, due to the highway and resulting development accounted for in the study?
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What is the Northern Illinois University Outer Belt Corridor Study, and how does it affect the Preliminary Engineering Study?
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What do I do if my property is now inside the B5 alignment?
IDOT has made every effort to be sensitive to property owners so the effects could be minimized for them. Unfortunately, in some cases displacements have been unavoidable. We know it's difficult for property owners when this happens, which is why we've worked so hard to minimize the effects. If your property is inside the B5 corridor and it will be needed to make way for the Prairie Parkway, IDOT will offer to buy your property.
We anticipate that land acquisition will begin in early 2008 for those property owners between IL-71 and US-34. Independent appraisers will contract each property owner and offer the owner an opportunity to review the property with the appraiser. The landowner can point out things of value on the property that the appraiser may not know about. After the independent appraisal, IDOT offers the landowner fair market value for their property, including any damage to the remainder property.
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What happens to the recorded corridor thats been in place since 2002?
IDOT is holding a public hearing in July 2007 to alter the protected corridor, eliminate it where it is no longer needed, and record the new B5 corridor alignment.
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My property is within the Corridor Protection, but the new alignments do not go through my property. Can IDOT remove the Corridor Protection now?
The Corridor Protection will be revised to reflect the alignment after a preferred alternative has been identified. The amendment process for Corridor Protection requires a preliminary map be prepared, a public hearing to be held, a comment period to allow for public input in the map changes, the final map revisions to be made, and the new map to be approved in a Record of Hearing. This process will take some time.
Where IDOT is confident the current Corridor Protection will not be needed for the final alignment, affected property owners will be offered a letter stating IDOT's intent to remove the Corridor Protection from their property when the revised Corridor Map is recorded.
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What changes have you made to the alignments as a result of public comment?
Public involvement has been crucial throughout the entire study, and IDOT has made several changes because of public comment. For example, we have changed alignments at Big Rock Creek and moved the Lasher Road crossing further to the east. We also shifted the alignment closer to Caton Farm Road to move it closer to existing and proposed development. Additionally, as a result of input from property owners, we have added and modified access roads to preserve access to adjacent properties. We have made changes to the potential road closures with assistance and input from various local entities, including emergency services, township highway commissioners, school districts, municipalities and counties.
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Why not just widen IL-47?
In the engineering studies, neither widening IL-47 alone, nor building a freeway alignment alone, or even widening three major north south roads performed well in meeting regional transportation needs. However, IDOT found that widening IL-47 in combination with building a freeway would best meet the transportation needs of the people in the region. This plan offers the best blend of travel benefit, compatibility with land use plans, and minimizing environmental and development impacts, while still addressing the purpose and need.
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How will the Prairie Parkway affect growth in the region?
By 2030, the population in the study area is expected to double. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kendall County was the second fastest growing county in the U.S. from 2000 to 2006, and Will and Kane Counties had the 10th and 40th largest numeric gains in the U.S. during the same period.
Growth and development are already happening in this region; IDOT is simply responsible for ensuring that the transportation system is in place to respond to projected population and development growth. As part of the engineering study, IDOT conducted a review to assess the potential of added development when the Prairie Parkway is built. The review found that rather than adding people to the region, the freeway instead redistributes where they go. Communities are working to plan around existing state route interchanges, where population growth is projected to be anyway.
To assist the local community planning efforts related to the Prairie Parkway, IDOT has supported the Corridor Planning Group. The Corridor Planning Group is a forum of elected officials representing the municipalities and counties adjacent to the corridor. They are supported by technical task forces consisting of technical staff from communities, agencies, and interest groups.
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What are the next steps in the study?
IDOT is addressing comments and completing the Final Environmental Impact Statement which should be completed in late 2007. In July 2007, IDOT will host another round of public hearings for road closures, air quality studies, and revisions to the corridor protection. The Record of Decision, also expected in late 2007, is the Federal authorization to proceed. Land acquisition could start in 2008. Depending on project readiness and funding availability, construction could start as soon as 2009.
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What does it take to override a sensitive environmental area? Can a highway be built in a rich environmental area (i.e., creeks, woods, wetlands, endangered species, etc.)?
The Illinois Department of Transportation takes environmental issues seriously. We will make every effort to avoid sensitive environmental areas. If we can’t avoid the environmental area, then we will try to minimize the impact. In addition, we will also try to mitigate any impacts. Mitigation usually involves replacing the lost environmental area with new sites, such as the replacement of wetlands. Mitigation can also include protective measures for adjacent environmental areas. We are also coordinating this study with the federal and state environmental resource and regulatory agencies. With their cooperation, we will work together to protect and enhance the environment.
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How long will it take to finish this study? When can we expect the improvements to be built?
This study is following the federal requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. In addition, it is critical to allow the time for public involvement and discussions about possible problems and solutions. It is anticipated that this study will be completed by 2007. The recently enacted federal transportation bill contains $207 million in additional funding that could be accessed for future project activities including final design, land acquisition, or construction. Depending on the type of improvement and additional funding availability, it could take up to 8 to 10 years, or even longer, until the recommended improvements are built.
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Will the new federal funding accelerate the study schedule?
Since the Preliminary Engineering Study is required by law to follow the NEPA requirements, the project must include all the relevant environmental studies and review by state and federal regulatory agencies before it can be completed. No federal money can be accessed for detailed design or construction until the Preliminary Engineering Study is completed. We are working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and state and federal regulatory agencies to streamline the process where possible, while meeting all the requirements of the NEPA process.
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How can I keep informed on the study's progress?
IDOT has a number of contact points for information on the study. The best way to keep updated is to check the Prairie Parkway Study website at www.prairie-parkway.com. In addition to the website, you can write to Illinois Department of Transportation-District 3, Attn: Diane O'Keefe, P.E., 700 E. Norris Drive, P.O. Box 697, Ottawa, Illinois 61350-0697.
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How much input and influence will the general public have on the study process?
Public input is crucial to this study and there will be many opportunities for public comment and input. IDOT is conducting public surveys and focus groups, and is holding public information meetings and workshops during the study to hear what the public has to say about transportation in the region.
IDOT needs to gather the thoughts and opinions of the citizens to understand the needs of the region. Although we many not be able to satisfy everyone, our goal is to look at the needs of the whole region to assess transportation mobility for the future.
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How will you measure the impacts on existing roadways?
An analysis of both current and future 2030 traffic was performed as part of the needs analysis (Part A). In Part B, the impact of current and future traffic on existing roads plus a set of alternative improvements will be generated. The evaluation factors include various measures such as level of service, volume-to-capacity ratio (V/C), travel times, travel speeds, vehicle miles of travel (VMT), vehicle hours of travel (VHT), person miles of travel (PMT), person hours of travel (PHT), travel desire lines, accessibility to jobs, accessibility to major activity centers, and crash rates.
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Why was the initial Corridor Protection Study conducted?
The initial corridor protection study gave a broad overview of the region's transportation issues and established a corridor in the event one should ever be needed in this rapidly developing region.
The preliminary engineering study now underway is a more detailed analysis designed to evaluate the potential need for transportation improvements in Kane, Kendall, Grundy, DeKalb, Will and LaSalle counties.
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Should local developers and officials assume that the corridor will "stay put" in its present location?
The remaining freeway alternatives are expected to use part of the recorded corridor, but will depart from it in several places when their final alignments are set. Changes to the corridor protection map will be made as a result of this process, in accordance with the state corridor protection statute. IDOT will give public notice and hold a public hearing before final changes to the corridor protection are made.
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Will building a new road encourage sprawl?
Population growth and new development already exists in the region. The U.S. Census recently estimated that Kendall County's population has grown 12% between 2000 and 2002, leading all counties in Illinois in rate of growth in that period. In September 2003, the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission endorsed forecasts estimated Kane County will add 288,000 residents and Will County will add 605,000 residents in the period from 2000 to 2030.
IDOT is responsible for ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to respond to projected population and development growth. It’s important to remember that IDOT does not control land use; elected and local officials do. Local representatives are closest to the people, needs and issues in each community. Our regional plans are based on the future land uses developed by these local planning representatives.
There have been many studies on the effect of transportation improvements on population growth and development. Access to transportation is one of many factors that can influence growth. Also, the type of transportation facility can be a factor. The I-88 tollway through western Kane and eastern DeKalb counties has very limited access points, and significant development has not occurred between the access points. Other facilities, such as the recently widened U.S. 34 through Oswego, have full access to adjoining properties, which makes the highway attractive to commercial developers as growth occurs.
However, in some cases, population growth and development have occurred without additional transportation options and now these regions are experiencing traffic problems. For example, Illinois Route 53 was not extended in Lake County but development continued and traffic congestion is now a problem. The same can be said about the region around the proposed Fox Valley Freeway that was canceled in 1992.
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How will potential new roads affect safety?
Unmanaged growth and increasing traffic congestion can create safety issues in a community. For example, the town of Lockport in Will County recently released its accident statistics for November 2002, which showed an 80 percent increase in accidents compared to the same period in 2001. Officials are attributing this dramatic increase in accidents to increased development and road use by a growing population in the area.
As we evaluate the need for a new transportation corridor in this area, one of IDOT's primary concerns is providing safe, accessible transportation.
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How will the study address impacts to the environment from proposed transportation improvements?
All transportation improvements must be thoroughly studied for their environmental impact and this analysis will strictly follow the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process. It is a priority for IDOT that transportation improvements have as little adverse impact on the environment as possible. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared during Part C of the study.
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How will you consider the proposed Peotone airport in your studies?
The proposed South Suburban (Peotone) Airport is included in the region's population and employment forecasts developed by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC). For the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) 2030 Regional Transportation Plan, NIPC developed 2030 regional population and employment forecasts that include expansion of existing airport capacity and a new South Suburban Airport. These population and employment numbers were used to generate future traffic projections for the larger study area.
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Will other forms of transportation be considered as a solution?
Yes. As part of the alternatives analysis, public transit improvements, pedestrian and bicycle accomodations, and other transportation alternatives will be analyzed as part of a comprehensive solution to address the travel needs in the region.
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Where do you get your information for the "needs" portion of the study?
The information for the transportation needs analysis came from a wide variety of sources. These information sources included existing traffic and accident data, public transportation and non-motorized data, census data, Illinois Department of Employment Security information, local land use and zoning information, local and regional plans and programs, as well as forecasts of future population and employment from the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) and national forecasts, such as Woods & Poole. Future travel demand was estimated using the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) travel demand model.
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If transportation options are studied, how will you assess the impacts on local services and the accelerated growth stimulated by these options?
It is anticipated that a new 2030 regional forecast of population and employment will be developed that will include the new corridors. This new 2030 regional forecast of population and employment will maintain a regional control total for population and employment for the 14 county study travel model study area, but will include a redistribution of population and employment that reflect the changes in mobility and accessibility provided by the new transportation corridor. All alternatives evaluated in the environmental impact statement process will include an analysis of potential impacts on local services. The nature of these local services would be determined by the local jurisdictions. For example, several of the municipalities that are experiencing rapid growth are planning for new schools. In this case, we would work with the municipality and school district to identify the locations of potential new schools (as well as the existing schools) and would then identify and potential impacts. If possible, impacts will be avoided, and if not practical to avoid impacts, then strategies to mitigate the impacts will be developed.
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Will local jurisdiction needs and requests be considered in the routing and design - i.e. the location of interchanges near municipalities?
Yes, county and local land use plans are considered in making decisions on major transportation investments. IDOT wants an open dialogue with local officials to dovetail the interests of the counties and municipalities with the interests of the entire region. We know that local officials realize the importance of upgrading transportation options to help meet the needs of their rapidly growing populations. When the alternatives are evaluated, coordination and review by local jurisdictions will be performed.
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If the Prairie Parkway is built, how do you plan on preserving our natural resources along the route?
IDOT is committed to helping protect and preserve our state's most threatened natural areas while also assuring mobility, safety, access and economic benefit through an effective transportation system. We don't believe one must be sacrificed for the other. In fact, transportation projects provide a major source of funding for enhancements of our natural resources.
Further analysis will look at a variety of factors, including environmental impacts. The state is always working to minimize impact on the environment, while also meeting the needs of the community.
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How does the removal of farmland from cultivation, due to the highway and resulting development accounted for in the study?
All transportation improvements must be thoroughly studied for their environmental impact, including impacts to agricultural land, and this analysis will follow the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process. We care about agricultural land in Illinois. It is a priority for IDOT that transportation improvements have as little adverse impact on the environment as possible. Where impacts to agricultural land are unavoidable, IDOT will use strategies to minimize or mitigate the impacts.
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What is the Northern Illinois University Outer Belt Corridor Study, and how does it affect the Preliminary Engineering Study?
The NIU Outer Belt Corridor Study is a comprehensive look at providing a possible framework for land use planning along a transportation corridor. The NIU Corridor Study was conducted independently of the Preliminary Engineering Study, and will not influence the selection or location of a "corridor" solution or other possible alternatives if the Preliminary Engineering Study. However, IDOT supports the concept of combining transportation planning and land use planning, and will continue to work cooperatively with local communities to integrate the transportation planning process with local and regional land use planning.
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