Alternative B5 with IL-47 widening was selected as the preferred alternative over Alternative B2 with IL-47 widening (Alternative B2 is generally a straight north-south freeway between I-80 and I-88 located four miles west of existing IL-47 connecting to I-80 near Morris, Illinois) and the No Action Alternative because of strong local and other governmental support, meeting the purpose and need for the project, and the environmental resources affected.  

Public Opinion Strongly Favored Alternative B5 with IL-47 Widening

When local governments indicated a preference for either "build" alternative, it was overwhelmingly in support of Alternative B5, with nine local governments in favor of Alternative B5, versus one for Alternative B2.  Alternative B5 is also more compatible with local land use plans, following the boundaries of planned development areas.  It avoids segmenting agricultural areas in south Kendall County that local land use plans want to preserve. In addition, Alternative B5 has already been adopted in several local land use plans.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) indicated that "A qualitative analysis of the alternatives leads us to support Alternative B5.  This alternative appears to provide better Kendall and Kane County connectivity with regional travel destinations.  Alternative B5 also better serves our south and southwest suburbs with an alternative travel corridor.  This can more easily link to future south suburban connectivity via I-80 and I-55 and creates a more attractive by-pass of congested conditions than either B2 or the no-build alternative."

In addition, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) indicated in their DEIS response letter that:  "the IDOA has no objection to the IDOT District 3 proceeding with the B5/IL-47 alternative for the freeway's construction.  The IDOA would consider such an action to be consistent with the IDOT's Agricultural Land Preservation Policy and in compliance with the state's Farmland Preservation Act."

Alternative B5 To Serve the Future Traffic:  Alternative B5 better met the purpose and need of the project: to improve regional mobility; to address local system deficiencies by developing a transportation system that serves projected growth in local traffic and reduces travel times; to improve access from the study area to regional jobs; and to improve safety. Alternative B5 performed especially well in improving regional mobility and improving access to regional jobs.

Alternative B5 with IL-47 widening is projected to deliver these improvements:

Furture Regional Mobility

view mobility chart

Address Local System Deficiencies

view local system deficiencies chart

Travel times and average speeds for a morning trip from I-80 to I-88 will improve on IL-47 and on Prairie Parkway.

Access to Regional Jobs

view regional jobs chart

Safety

view safety chart