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Slide 2 PUBLIC MEETING May 12, 2011 Slide 3 P U B L I C I N V O L V E M E N T Project Status PHASE III Construction PHASE II Contract Plan Preparation & Land Acquisition PHASE I Preliminary Engineering & Environmental Studies START Slide 4 Project Status P U B L I C I N V O L V E M E N T DEVELOP PURPOSE AND NEED IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES IDENTIFY POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES PUBLIC MEETING STUDY MILESTONE START 2010 2011 2012 PUBLIC HEARING Public Meeting #1(April 7, 2010) Project Schedule Project Development Context Sensitive Solutions Initial Data Findings Project Study Group (PSG) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Community Advisory Group (CAG) Community Advisory Group (CAG) Clark Dietz, Inc. & Sub-Consultants Slide 5 Project Status Public Meeting (May 12, 2011) Project Status Problem Statement Present Purpose and Need Present Range of Alternatives Evaluation & Screening Criteria Next Steps P U B L I C I N V O L V E M E N T DEVELOP PURPOSE AND NEED IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE & ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNICAL STUDIES EVALUATE ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFY POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES PUBLIC MEETING STUDY MILESTONE START 2010 2011 2012 PUBLIC HEARING Slide 6 Define Problem Alternative Development Process Identify Context Considerations Stakeholder Considerations / Community Assets Environmental Considerations / Compatibility with the Environment Engineering Considerations / Transportation Needs Identify Stakeholders Interest Groups Local Businesses Regional Agencies Elected Officials Public/ Stakeholders Public/ Stakeholders City/County Staff Transportation Providers Slide 7 Alternative Development Process Considerations Stakeholder Considerations / Community Assets Environmental Considerations / Compatibility with the Environment Engineering Considerations / Transportation Needs Define Problem Identify Context Identify Stakeholders PURPOSE AND NEED REPORT Slide 8 Purpose and Need Development STAKEHOLDER INPUT CONTEXT SURVEY PROBLEM STATEMENT TECHNICAL ANALYSIS CRASH DATA ANALYSIS TRAFFIC DATA ANALYSIS PUBLIC AND AGENCY COORDINATION PURPOSE AND NEED REPORT Slide 9 Project Purpose The purpose of the proposed action is to provide an improved transportation facility in the Interstate 55 and Weber Road Interchange project study area. The specific needs to be addressed include safety, operational, and capacity deficiencies. Slide 10 Purpose and Need Prevents efficient access Lack of pedestrian, ADA, and bike facilities Improve pedestrian access and bike path continuity Traffic Safety Handicap accessibility Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings Bike lanes/recreation facilities High number of crashes Multi-modal conflicts High number of rear- end and sideswipe collisions Crashes data consistent with congestion No crosswalks or continuous bike paths Need: Improve Safety Technical Analysis Community Advisory GroupCommunity Context Survey Slide 11 Purpose and Need Inadequate lane marking Merging issues Poor signage Traffic signal delay Signals (traffic/ pedestrian) Street lighting/ pedestrian lighting Roadways compatible to existing businesses Roadways compatible to existing commuting patterns Traffic signal spacing Substandard geometrics (travel lanes, intersections) Need: Address Operational Deficiencies Technical Analysis Community Advisory Group Community Context Survey Slide 12 Purpose and Need High volume of trucks No alternate north- south routes Inadequate access to I- 55 Congestion High volume turn movements Industrial centers and commercial areas Commuter corridor Congestion and delay Unacceptable level of service on Weber Road and I-55 ramps Projected increase in traffic volumes Need: Improve Capacity Technical Analysis Community Advisory Group Community Context Survey Slide 13 Alternative Development Process Brainstorm alternatives with stakeholders Solicit alternatives from agencies Develop alternatives with project team Brainstorm alternatives with stakeholders Solicit alternatives from agencies Develop alternatives with project team Preferred Alternative Evaluate Alternatives Range of Alternatives Define Problem Identify Context Identify Stakeholders Slide 14 Preliminary Alternatives Interchange Improvements Weber Road Improvements Other mode accommodations Slide 15 Preliminary Alternatives Interchange Improvements Weber Road Improvements Other mode accommodations Slide 16 Interchange Improvements CLOVERLEAF Free-flowing traffic Large footprint Weaving sections Not pedestrian friendly Slide 17 Interchange Improvements Partial Cloverleaf No weaving Some free-flowing movements Some signal control Smaller footprint in some quadrants Slide 18 Interchange Improvements Diamond Signal controlled intersections Smaller footprint Slide 19 Interchange Improvements Split Diamond Signal controlled intersections Access distributed at two locations Frontage road system Slide 20 Interchange Improvements Single Point Urban Diamond (SPUDI) Small footprint One signalized intersection Large structure Slide 21 Interchange Improvements Diverging Diamond Small footprint Accommodates heavy left turn traffic Free flow Interstate entrances Driver unfamiliarity Slide 22 Interchange Improvements Veterans Parkway IL Route 126 Slide 23 Preliminary Alternatives Interchange Improvements Weber Road Improvements Other mode accommodations Slide 24 Weber Road Improvements Existing Lanes Added Lane Additional Capacity Slide 25 Weber Road Improvements Lighting Slide 26 Weber Road Improvements Raised Median and Physically Separated Turn Lanes Access Management Slide 27 Weber Road Improvements Additional turn lanes Improved traffic signal coordination Turn prohibitions Improved signage/striping Pedestrian/Bicyclist accommodations Slide 28 Preliminary Alternatives Interchange Improvements Weber Road Improvements Other mode accommodations Slide 29 Other Mode Accommodations Pedestrian/Bicycle access over I-55 Connect existing bike path network PACE Park-N-Ride Slide 30 Alternative Development Process Confirm alternatives meet Purpose and Need and transportation performance measures Compare impacts to natural and built environment Confirm alternatives meet Purpose and Need and transportation performance measures Compare impacts to natural and built environment Preferred Alternative Evaluate Alternatives Range of Alternatives Define Problem Identify Context Identify Stakeholders Slide 31 Transportation Evaluation Criteria Assess existing conditions Evaluate safety performance of each alternative Performance metrics may include: Adherence to safety standards Projected change in crashes from 2040 baseline ADA Compliance Pedestrian/bicycle compatible Address Operational Deficiencies Address Operational Deficiencies Improve Capacity Improve Safety NEED Slide 32 Transportation Evaluation Criteria Assess existing conditions Evaluate alternatives on addressing design issues Performance metrics may include: Design deficiencies Right-of-Way Construction Costs Address Operational Deficiencies Address Operational Deficiencies Improve Capacity Improve Safety NEED Slide 33 Transportation Evaluation Criteria Baseline condition will be 2040 (no improvements) Evaluate alternatives on projected changes in travel conditions Performance metrics may include: Level of Service (LOS) Right-of-Way Construction Costs Address Operational Deficiencies Address Operational Deficiencies Improve Capacity Improve Safety NEED Slide 34 ResourceEvaluation Criteria Wetlands Number of wetlands impacted Acres of wetland Impacts FloodplainsAcres of floodplain impacted Threatened and Endangered Species Number of species encountered T&E species habitat loss Parks and RecreationNumber of parks impacted Agricultural Lands Acres acquired Prime farmland impacted GroundwaterNumber of setback zones encroached Special WasteNumber of special waste sites impacted Economic and Business Number of business relocations Acres of business property acquisition Loss of direct access to Weber Road Loss of parking area Public facilities, schools and places of worshipNumber of facilities impacted Environmental Evaluation Criteria Slide 35 Alternative Evaluation Fatal Flaw Screening Purpose & Need Screening Round 1 Analysis Level of Service (LOS) Right of Way Stakeholder Input Round 1 Analysis Level of Service (LOS) Right of Way Stakeholder Input Initial Alternatives Preferred Alternative Eliminate Alternative(s) Round 2 Analysis Environmental Impacts Level of Service (LOS) Right of Way Costs Stakeholder Input Round 2 Analysis Environmental Impacts Level of Service (LOS) Right of Way Costs Stakeholder Input Eliminate Alternative(s) Slide 36 Alternative Development Process Detailed engineering and environmental analysis of remaining alternatives Evaluate performance, impacts, and costs Recommend preferred alternative Detailed engineering and environmental analysis of remaining alternatives Evaluate performance, impacts, and costs Recommend preferred alternative Preferred Alternative Evaluate Alternatives Range of Alternatives Define Problem Identify Context Identify Stakeholders Slide 37 Next Steps P U B L I C I N V O L V E M E N T PUBLIC MEETING STUDY MILESTONE START 2010 2011 2012 Public Meeting (Fall 2011) Present the results of technical screening Identify alternatives to carry forward PUBLIC HEARING DEVELOP PURPOSE AND NEED IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI) PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE & ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNICAL STUDIES EVALUATE ALTERNATIVES IDENTIFY POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES Slide 38 Thank You! Please browse the exhibits Direct questions to the study team Please fill out a comment form Comment period ends May 26, 2011 Visit the website: www.I55atWeber.com Thank you for attending!