The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is requesting public testimony on the alternatives for the construction of a four-lane limited access freeway between I-80 and I-88 at two public hearings to be held December 6 and 7, 2006 as part of the federal requirements for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).  The general study area includes Kendall County and portions of Kane, Grundy, DeKalb, Will and LaSalle counties.

Detailed alternatives have been identified as Alternatives B2 and B5.  Both the B2 and B5 alternatives include the widening of IL-47 from Caton Farm Road south to I-80.  Alternative B2 is generally a straight north-south connector segment between I-80 and I-88, located approximately four miles west of IL-47 connecting to I-80 on the west side of Morris.  Alternative B5 is similar to Alternative B2 except that south of Caton Farm Road, Alternative B5 traverses to the east to connect to I-80 near Minooka, Illinois.  The option of taking no action remains as a third alternative.

The hearings 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 public hearings will be held at:

December 6, 2006  
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Yorkville Intermediate School
Gymnasium Entrance 
103 Schoolhouse Road (IL 126) 
Yorkville, Illinois 60560 

December 7, 2006
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
White Oak Elementary School
North Entrance
2001 Dupont Avenue
Morris, Illinois 60450

The hearing will be an open house format. You will be updated on the study, have an opportunity to review exhibits and participate in a question and answer forum with IDOT representatives, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. each day.

Both locations are accessible to persons with disabilities.  If special accommodations are required, contact the District Engineer's office at 815-434-8435.

Please visit the Prairie Parkway website at www.prairie-parkway.com to learn more about the study, review the DEIS and improvement concepts identified to date, and express opinions and concerns.  The DEIS comment period ends January 16, 2007.