| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: 217/782-6953 |
| December 20, 2002 |
TTY: 217/524-4875 |
PRAIRIE PARKWAY PHASE I STUDY BEGINS;
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ENCOURAGED
OTTAWA, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
today announced that a Prairie Parkway study that will evaluate
the need for future transportation improvements in northeastern
Illinois will begin immediately.
The Phase I preliminary engineering study will take an in-depth
look at current and future transportation needs in an area
that is experiencing increased development and traffic congestion.
The general study area includes Kane, Kendall, Grundy, DeKalb,
Will and LaSalle counties.
IDOT has scheduled two public open houses on January 22 and
23, 2003 where the public can learn more about the Phase I
study. The open houses will be held at:
January 22, 2003
5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Kaneland South Elem. School
85 South Main Street
Sugar Grove, IL 60554 |
January 23, 2003
4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
School The Fountains of Minooka
502 Twin Rail Drive
Minooka, IL 60447 |
The public is invited and encouraged to attend at any time
during the open houses, There will be no formal presentation
at the open houses, but the public will be able to watch a
PowerPoint presentation, review exhibits, and discuss the
study with representatives from IDOT. Both sites are accessible
to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are
needed, contact the District Engineer's office at 815-434-8435,
or TTY 815-434-6164.
The study will also offer an interactive web site where
the public can find updated information. Plans are also under
way to conduct public opinion surveys and focus groups to
learn more about local and regional transportation needs.
Depending on the findings of the needs analysis, additional
studies, such as the identification of new alternatives to
address those needs, and an analysis of engineering and environmental
impacts, may be done over the next five years.
"We want people in the region to have a first-hand look
at what the Phase I study will entail. It's important to remember
that this study will take a new look at local and regional
transportation needs and will not be influenced, or bound
by, any prior studies and reports", said IDOT District
Engineer Jim Jereb.
"The study will ensure responsible planning in an area
of high growth and increasing traffic challenges," Jereb
said. "These steps strategically evaluate future transportation
options prior to potentially costly and conflicting land development."
Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc. will conduct
the Phase I study.
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