Joliet Herald-News
Octber 6, 2005
¥ I-80 connection: State narrows down list of possibilities
By Christina Chapman
STAFF WRITER
MORRIS &emdash; One proposed route for the Prairie Parkway runs into Grundy County and would have a larger effect on farmland.
Another route would stop short of Grundy and affect more industry, businesses and homes.
A third plan: Build no new road, but improve existing roads.
All three ideas for the parkway &emdash; proposed to connect Interstates 80 and 88 &emdash; were discussed at a Wednesday meeting at White Oak Elementary School in Morris. The public heard from representatives of the Illinois Department of Transportation and other participants.
One freeway alternative connects to I-88 in Kane County and continues through Kane, Kendall and Grundy counties before connecting to I-80. This route would have a larger effect on farmland.
Another alternative also connects to I-88 in Kane County, runs through Kane and Kendall counties, and shifts east to connect to I-80 just short of Grundy County.
This route would have a larger effect on industry, business and homes.
Both freeway corridor options are planned at 2.5 miles wide to allow for a leeway area on where the highway is placed. For example, if a home is in the path of the freeway, there is room in the 2.5 miles to move the road.
The third alternative is a "no action" option. The only construction would be on Illinois 47 and the Wikaduke Trail. No additional roads or freeways would be built. The "no action" option will stay an option until the end of the study.
"One option could drop off in a couple of months, or both (proposed routes) could go to the final part of the study," said Rick Powell, IDOT project engineer.
Powell said he expects the study to be complete by the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008.
For all three options, one alteration will be consistent. Illinois 47 will be widened to four lanes from north of Caton Farm Road to I-88, and the Wikaduke Trail, Eola Road, Stewart Road and Ridge Road also will be widened, Powell said.
The Brisbin Road interchange, originally thought to be part of the Prairie Parkway, will not be utilized for the parkway.
The Brisbin Road area is planned to have industrial development, which means it will need entrances every 500 feet or so, Powell said addressing a question.
The Prairie Parkway study began in 2003 and covers an area of about 1,500 square miles in Kendall, LaSalle, DeKalb, Will, Kane and Grundy counties. The federal highway transportation bill will help pay for the parkway.
IDOT selected a short list of alternatives consisting of three options after studying about 150 suggestions &emdash; including 10 freeway alternatives and six arterial roadway widenings &emdash; and conducting travel benefit and environmental impact evaluations.
IDOT would like comments in by Nov. 7 to continue the study of the two freeway alternatives.