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IDOT to discuss I-55 improvements
PUBLIC MEETING SET
WILMINGTON -- With the development of a 1,500-acre logistics center coming to Lorenzo Road, something will have to be done to improve Interstate 55.
How to go about making improvements along the intersections of Lorenzo Road and Illinois 129 will be the topic for discussion at a public information meeting hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilmington City Hall.
John Baczek, acting project and environmental studies section chief, is calling it an introductory meeting between residents and business owners and IDOT consultants. Representatives from RidgePort Developers may be there, but the purpose of this meeting is not to discuss their plans for the trucking and intermodal railroad facility, just ways to improve the intersections before the growth comes.
"We want to hear your concerns," Baczek said.
Getting public input is the reason for the meeting.
There will be exhibits on display and consultants will be available to discuss the project and to answer questions. A formal presentation and introduction of the study team will be made at 4:30 p.m. and repeated at 6 p.m.
At this time, there are no set plans for the improvements. Multiple alternatives are to be developed and discussed. A neutral evaluator will make the decision on what alternative will best suit the needs of the new development.
It is the beginning of a complex study with a number of issues needing to be addressed. Baczek said both intersections are unique in their designs and were not meant to handle the traffic if the development grows as planned.
Since the highway project is federally funded, certain regulations and guidelines must be met. There will be three phases of the interstate improvement project.
Baczek said Phase I should take about a year to complete. This kind of project must start out with an environmental and design study.
Phase II is when contracts are prepared and right of ways are obtained. Phase III is when the actual construction takes place.
"There is no set time frame for these projects," Baczek said. "It all depends on federal funding."
The projects are included in IDOT's 2008 to 2013 plan. The final plans could include fixing the I-55 frontage roads in the area. The entire corridor that is under review starts out at River Road and extends south to Illinois 113.
More information and a map are available at www.i-55wilmingtonstudy.com.
2 comments on IDOT to discuss I-55 improvements
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I live along the eas frontafe road north of Lorenzo Road. If your past work to the intersection is any indication of what is to follow, I am dreading the future. The ramp was extended on my side of I-55, the noise was brought closer to my home. The drainage pipe at the end of the frontage road holds water all summer breeding mosquitoes, while the rest of us try to be sure to dump out standing water. The road crew did a lousy job of cleaning up after themselves, leaving not only their lunch garbage, but the used fencing and other construction junk in the woods in front of my house. Our road was used for the northbound ramp for a period of time, but was not properly marked, so heading out of our drive we often met on coming traffic head-on. And finally the heavy machinary used and parked along our road demolished our black top, leaving pot holes deep enough to swallow up my PT tires. The road has still not been repaired. The snow equiptment refuses to plow our road because the surface is so uneven. Comments ??? I'm worried!
Sounds disasterous to your immediate environment. I'll be you will want to participate in the study. I now I sure would if it were me. As to the slopiness in their work habits around your home and the garbage they left behind, have you filed a complaint with IDOT or submitted them anything in writing? If not, you should do that to protect yourself.
IDOT awards contracts and those companies are the ones cnducting the work. As a taxpayer, and the one paying for all of this, you have a right to voice your disproval with the contracts that are awarded. Furhter, you have every right to demand that they clean up there mess and repair the damage that has been done to your property because of their poor work and negligence in respecting your property and your property rights. But if you do not notify them in writing about it, they will not know about it.
Good luck!