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. IDOT has made a limited number of acquisitions of properties within the B5 corridor to date. For the near future, IDOT is not pursuing additional property acquisitions except when a Corrdior Protection action is initiated by a property owner.
What happens to the recorded corridor that’s been in place since 2002?
IDOT held a public hearing in July 2007 to alter the protected corridor, eliminate it where it is no longer needed, and in November 2007 recorded the new B5 corridor alignment.
My property is within the 2002 Corridor Protection, but the new corridor does not go through my property. Did IDOT remove teh Corridor Protection?
The Corrdor Protection was revised in November 2007 to reflect the new alignment. Property owners and counties were notified of the change in Corridor Protection.
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.
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.
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.
The Record of Decision was approved in September 2008, which allowed federal funds to be expended on land acquisition, engineering, utility adjustment and construction. There is no construction currently programmed in IDOT's Proposed Highway Improvement Program. Remaining Phase 1 engineering and right-of-way engineering are being completed. For the near future, IDOT is not pursuing additional property acquisitions except when a Corridor Protection action is initiated by a property owner.
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.
How long will it take to finish this study? When can we expect the improvements to be built?
This study followed the federal requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS was approved in a Record of Decision in September 2008, and remaining Phase 1 engineering and right-of-way engineering are being completed. There is no construction currently programmed in IDOT's Proposed Highway Improvement Program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
