This study is a Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies (Phase I) and is taking a fresh look at the needs and evaluation of potential improvements to I-290 Eisenhower Expressway from west of Mannheim Road (US Route 12/20/45) to west of Cicero Avenue (Illinois Route 50).
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will act as joint lead agencies for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway project in order to satisfy National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. As such, FHWA (Division Administrator) and IDOT (Secretary of Transportation) are the ultimate decision-makers for this project.
Stakeholders for a project include any person or organization which has a direct stake in the project being considered. This can be anything from a small group of residents and businesses affected by the redesign of a rural intersection to thousands of individuals when a major roadway or transit extension is being built. Stakeholders can include residents and landowners near a project, advocates for policy, community and historic interests, elected officials, government agencies, users of the facility, and many others.
Although some research and solutions have been identified in the past, much has changed, such as traffic volumes and travel patterns. This Phase I study is taking a fresh look at the transportation needs. Over the next several years, IDOT will be studying the transportation needs within the corridor including those associated with roadways, transit, pedestrian and bicycles. In addition, transit, bicycle and pedestrian access to, from and across the roadway will be studied. Other planning and environmental issues will be considered as well as developing and evaluating a set of alternatives. Public information sessions will be held at key points during the process.
This study was designated as a Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) project using the principles of CSS per the Illinois Department of Transportation CSS Policy. CSS is a collaborative approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a facility that fits into its surroundings and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic, and environmental resources while maintaining safety and mobility. Public involvement is strongly encouraged during the Phase I study and will continue to proactively seek stakeholder involvement and partnerships. There will be several opportunities for public input about the corridor needs including Corridor Advisory Groups, Task Forces, public information meetings, and community meetings.
A draft needs statement is expected in the winter 2009/2010. If a need is demonstrated, further study could occur, including identifying alternatives, selecting a recommended alternative and performing further engineering and environmental analysis. In addition, public involvement will be key component throughout the entire study. The entire study process may take up to three years to complete.
Since a full range of alternatives have not been identified or analyzed, it is impossible to say, however, through the NEPA and CSS process, IDOT will strive to avoid or minimize impacts and ensure responsible planning in the area of increasing population growth and traffic congestion.
As part of the Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP) Task Force (TF) groups will be formed and are expected to be the primary forum for ongoing coordination with agencies, and providers such as RTA, CTA, Metra, PACE, CSX, CN, ISTHA, CDOT, and CMAP.
This study is funded through state planning funds. At this time, money has not been identified for the Phase II (design) or for Phase III (construction).
IDOT has a number of contact points for information on the study. The best way to keep updated is to check the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) website. In addition to the website, we encourage stakeholders to sign up for the mailing list to receive newsletters and invitations to meetings, as well as to e-subscribe to website updates.
You can direct questions and comments to us via this website. Written correspondence can be sent directly to Illinois Department of Transportation-Region One/District 1, Attn: John Baczek, P.E., c/o: Mark Peterson, 201 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196 or by fax: 847.705.4159.
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