Ottawa Times
Nov. 30, 2007
IDOT revises protected corridor for Prairie Parkway
MELISSA GARZANELLI
The Illinois Department of Transportation recently reaffirmed its
commitment to the path for the proposed Prairie Parkway, revising its
corridor protection map to reflect the chosen route.
Earlier this year, IDOT officials announced its preferred alternative,
which will begin on Interstate 80 near Minooka, head northwest to Caton
Farm Road, then travel north across the Fox River until it connects to
Interstate 88 near Kaneville. In addition, Illinois Route 47 will be
widened to four lanes, including the section south of Caton Farm Road
to I-80.
By filing the corridor protection map, IDOT can legally preserve this
path for future development of the road. Property owners along this
path must notify IDOT before incurring any development costs or making
improvements. Once notified, IDOT has the opportunity to purchase the
property.
Certified letters will alert current property owners of the change to
the corridor protection map. If property is sold in that area, the
buyer will be notified that the land is part of the corridor protection
map.
In July 2002, IDOT filed the original corridor protection map to
reflect the route that seemed the most logical to IDOT engineers for
the Prairie Parkway. The revised route is similar in some aspects but
several significant modifications have been made.
Public hearings regarding the revised corridor protection map were
conducted in July to gather input from the communities effected by the
road. IDOT reported "strong local and other governmental support" for
the preferred alternative.
Engineers also believe the new route will improve regional access to
jobs and improve safety without infringing on established agricultural
areas.
Since 2002, IDOT has been exploring options for a regional
transportation route to run north and south and connect Interstates 80
and 88. Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert championed the
project and funneled some federal funds into development of the route.
With Hastert now leaving office, skeptics have questioned whether the
road will ever be completed, but IDOT officials state that enough
funding already exists to begin building the road. The first phase will
connect Illinois Route 71 about six miles east of Newark to U.S. 34
east of Plano.
IDOT Project Manager Rick Powell said in July that it would cost $955
million to complete the Prairie Parkway. Of that, about $207 million
was provided through federal dollars in 2005. The state must match 20
percent -- $52 million -- of the federal money, which will be allocated
over time as the project gets under way.
Powell did not anticipate problems with the state providing the funds, despite the state's recent budget crunch.
The final step in the process -- the record of decision, which is the
federal authorization to proceed -- is expected by early next year.
Land acquisition on phase one could begin in 2008 and construction
could begin as soon as 2009.
For more information about the Prairie Parkway, visit the Web at www.prairie-parkway.com.