1. What is this study?
2. Who is responsible for this study?
3. Why do we need this study?
4. What is going to be considered in this study?
5. How will this study be conducted?
6. What Constitutes a Stakeholder?
7. Does IDOT maintain, rehab, or reconstruct Tollways?
8. What is the schedule for this study?
9. What is an HOV lane?
10. Why an HOV lane rather than a rail line or another lane of traffic?
11. What will happen to traffic if we do nothing?
12. How will the issue of noise be addressed?
13. Will any homes or businesses displaced?
14. Will public transit be part of this study?
15. Will pedestrian and bicycle travel be addressed in this study?
16. What steps are being taken to coordinate with other transportation providers and transportation agencies?
17. When can I expect this project to be built?
18. How is this study funded?
19. How can I keep informed on the study’s progress?
20. Who can I contact about this study?

1.

What is this study?

This study is a preliminary engineering analysis (a Phase I study) to assess the need to improve safety and mobility on the Interstate 290 (I-290) Eisenhower Expressway from US Route 12/20/45Mannheim Road to Illinois Route 50 Cicero Avenue.

-- top --

2.

Who is responsible for this study?

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) – Division of Highways, District 1, is directing this study. IDOT is responsible for all State and Interstate Highway maintenance, rehabilitation, repair and reconstruction.

-- top --

3.

I-290 was built in the 1950’s. The pavement and structures have reached or are reaching the end of their useful lives and extreme congestion on the expressway limits mobiliy and increases crash potential. This study will analyze current engineering design standards to improve safety and comfort of travel, while potentially increasing the person through-put.

-- top --

4.

This study will review the needs, benefits, impacts, costs and alternatives of reconstructing the expressway to current design standards, improved intersections, updated drainage, improved safety, improved access to transit, and other items associated with the corridor.

-- top --

5.

IDOT District 1 staff directs this study and Parsons Brinckerhoff is the study consultant. The study is expected to take several years, during which all feasible alternatives will be considered. Public information sessions will be held at key points in the study process to ensure awareness, consideration and comments.

-- top --

6.

Stakeholders are those municipalities and organizations with an economic, cultural, social, or environmental "stake" in the action and are comprised of representatives from municipalities, transportation agencies, elected officials, local jurisdictions and other affected parties.

-- top --

7.

No, the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, created under the Toll Highway Act, is independent of IDOT and has jurisdiction over the toll roads in Illinois.

-- top --

8.

The study began in July 2001. The first meeting of key affected stakeholders was held on March 6, 2002 to inform about the study. During the next several years, IDOT will be studying the various aspects of expressway reconstruction including accommodating mass transportation, lane design, drainage, right-of-way, interchange and intersection design, and costs. 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.

-- top --

9.

There are many HOV lanes throughout the U.S. and the world. There are approximately 100 HOV projects nation-wide with more than 1,200 designated lane miles. HOV lanes can be found in large cities in California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, and in many states along the eastern seaboard.

-- top --

10.

Rail lines best serve areas of high density, job centers or residential neighborhoods that have a large concentration of potential riders. With past land development practices however, suburban jobs and communities do not have these concentrated densities and are widely dispersed. This development often requires the use of an automobile or bus to be able to commute the distances between home and work and other destinations in a reasonable amount of time and at a reasonable cost. An HOV lane combines the flexibility of the automobile with the high occupancy of a carpool to increase roadway carrying capacity. HOV lanes can also serve as potential bus-transit, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

-- top --

11.

Traffic is projected to grow faster than the population between now and 2030. With a limited supply of lanes and increasing demand, several things can happen:

• The peak period (rush hour) will get longer
• People will look for other roads to use to get to work, congesting local roads not designed for carrying high volumes of vehicles
• Safety may be sacrificed as people drive on shoulders or attempt other dangerous maneuvers in their desire to hurry
• People will choose other destinations impacting businesses and reducing economic opportunities in the corridor
• Movement of goods will be delayed even more, increasing the cost for consumers
• Air quality will decline

-- top --

12.

The study will incorporate current traffic noise measurement methods and design standards to evaluate the possibility of reducing the amount of noise in the affected communities.

-- top --

13.

Since a full range of alternatives have not been identified or analyzed, it is impossible to say now.

-- top --

14.

IDOT District 1 staff is actively coordinating with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Pace, Metra and CTA, to ensure that transit is considered and accommodated during this study.

-- top --

15.

How the expressway will connect with other roads and transportation modes will be closely detailed and designed. There are a number of points in the corridor where pedestrians and bicyclists cross the expressway, including access to public transportation or other services. Efforts will be made to enhance and upgrade the environment and safety at these crossings in conjunction with the expressway reconstruction.

-- top --

16.

IDOT District 1 is meeting with the other transportation providers to inform, coordinate planning and improvements, and explores opportunities for cooperation. To date, IDOT has met with representatives from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), CTA, Pace, Metra, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) and the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC).

-- top --

17.

This study is anticipated to last three to five years. After this study, a final design phase is typically undertaken. Final design studies generally take an average of 2 years to complete. After the final design study, construction can occur. However, at the present time, no funding has been identified for the final design study or for construction of the project.

-- top --

18.

This study is paid for through state and Federal transportation planning funds. Most of these funds are from the gas taxes paid by motorists. At this time money hasn’t been identified for construction.

-- top --

19.

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 at www.eisenhowerexpressway.com. In addition to the website, you can call the I-290 Information Line at (312)803-6750.

-- top --

20.

You can call the I-290 Information Line at (312)803-6750 or direct questions and comments to us via this website.  Written correspondence can be sent directly to Illinois Department of Transportation-Region One/District 1, Diane M. O’Keefe, P.E., Deputy Director of Highways, 201 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196.

-- top --