Longmeadow Parkway
Fox River Bridge Corridor
Friends of the Fox River
November 9, 2014
Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor
• ~ 5.6 miles from Huntley Road to IL 62
• Unique local/state/federal partnership
• Linkage of 3 State routes (IL 31, IL 25, IL 62)
Project
Location
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Randall Rd
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62
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Longmeadow Parkway
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25
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31
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72
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68
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Project Purpose
• To enhance the Upper Fox Valley
transportation network by reducing congestion
and providing alternative and more direct
routes to serve existing land use through
efficient access to central business districts,
employment and commercial centers
Project Need
• No new river crossings in Upper Fox Valley since 1950’s
• Population on west side of Fox River has increased ten fold
since 1980’s
• Congestion on 3 regional River crossings: I-90, IL 72, & IL 62
• Carpentersville Main St. bridge carries regional traffic through
neighborhoods & impacts east side of river
From the Start…
1990 - Fox River Bridge Advisory Committee formed:
• To comprehensively study 20+ potential new bridge crossings of Fox River
• 1990 Fox River Bridge Study – 12 potential crossings (3 advanced separately)
1991 - ISTEA (Fed. Transportation Bill) funded bridge study:
• 1994 Fox River Bridge Crossings Corridor Analysis Document
• 1994 study evaluated 9 potential Fox River bridge crossing areas
• Evaluated 4 Dundee area corridors – County Line, Longmeadow, Miller/Lake
Marian & Boncosky – 3 had significant environmental issues
• 5 corridors selected for evaluation by Environmental Impact Statement
• Longmeadow had the least impact to the human and natural environment
Environmental Impact Statement
• Required by National Environmental Policy Act under
United States environmental law
• Document of likely environmental effects of a proposed
development based on scientific assessment or study
• Considers land, water, air, structures, living organisms,
environmental values at the site, and the social, cultural,
and economic aspects
• A tool for decision making
Environmental Impact Statement
• EIS Team included:
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Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Illinois Department on Natural Resources
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
Illinois State Geological Survey
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Various Environmental Consultants
Kane County
Illinois Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Environmental Impact Statement
1992-2002 - EIS & Section 4(f) evaluation process
30+ Public meetings (North/Central/South):
1993 - Intro to project & solicit public comments
1994 - FHWA presentation to County Board
1994 - Presented corridors, impacts & solicit comments
1995 - Presented 5 corridors for EIS study
1998 - 4 public hearings – Presented draft EIS & reports
1992-2002 - 18+ County Board meetings (6 advancing resolutions)
2002 onward – various updates as required by Resource Agencies
Environmental Impact Statement
2001 – Federal approval of Final EIS
• 4-Lane Longmeadow alignment
2002 – Federal Record of Decision approving 3 Fox River crossings
Longmeadow Parkway, Stearns and IL 56/Oak:
• Best satisfies the purpose & need
• Least impacts to the natural & human environment
• Selected based on processes in compliance with NEPA
• Eligible for Federal Highway funding
• May advance projects through development process
Environmental Impact Statement
Final EIS process established the final alignment & included
mitigation of open space impacts
• Longmeadow alignment adjusted during EIS process to minimize
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impacts to environment
2002 Federal EIS & Record of Decision established final alignment
Phase I & II engineering uses approved 2002 final alignment
Open space mitigation ongoing and part of land acquisition
2008 Brunner Forest Preserve acquisition process included the
conveyance of the Longmeadow right-of-way
Kane County
Planning & Programming
2002 onward – Phase I Engineering & Land Acquisition
• Various public meetings & Funding Appropriations
2004 - Kane County 2030 Transportation Plan
• 24+ public meetings – Various locations in Kane
2005 - Intergovernmental Agreement
• Longmeadow Pkwy/ Huntley / Kreutzer Roads (Kane & McHenry
Counties, Villages of Algonquin, Carpentersville, Huntley, Gilberts)
Kane County
Planning & Programming
2007-2010 – Longmeadow (LMP) Task Force & Study*
• Municipal request to expedite project & address funding
• *Traffic Projections and Financial Feasibility Study
• 10+ public meetings
• Resolution - Adopting study, support for LMP & Toll Option
• 9 surrounding municipalities
• 2 Counties (McHenry & Kane)
Why a Toll Bridge?
Challenge
• Federal & State funds are extremely limited
Funding Opportunity
• County Toll Bridge Enabling Legislation
• Funding primarily through user fees
• Minimizes use of County funds
• Reduces risk & supports County’s capital needs by
creating new revenue source
• Provides mechanism for non-Kane County Residents
to pay for the corridor
Toll Option
• Toll facility east of Fox River
• Primarily funds area between IL31 and IL25
Project located in an area highly concentrated with I-PASS users
Toll Collection
• All Electronic Toll Collection (ETC)
• I-Pass compatible
Municipal Planning
Municipal planning efforts and public processes
have included Longmeadow:
• Carpentersville’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan
• Algonquin’s 2008 Comprehensive Plan
• Development planning & platting
• Right-of-way acquisition
• Construction of roadway segments
Federal Government Support
U.S Congress Appropriations in Federal Transportation Bills:
1991 - $8.3M to study and plan for Fox River Crossings
1998 - $9.375M for Fox River Crossings
2005 - $4M for land acquisition for Longmeadow Parkway
Regional / State
Construction Support
CMAP Planning, Programming & Air Quality Conformity
Analysis
~$1M Congestion Mitigation / Air Quality Funds
~$5M from Kane/Kendall Council of Mayors
~$40M from State of Illinois
Project Development
• Following successful model of Stearns Rd Bridge Corridor
• Won local, state & national awards
• IL American Planning Association - Sustainability Award in 2012
• Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District - Recognition of
Excellence for Efforts in Conservation of Land and Water Resources
• Best Management Practices
• Closed drainage system near and over Fox River
• Vegetated swales and detention ponds
• Significant tree plantings and landscaping
Project Status / Next Steps
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~60% land acquired to date
Finalize Land Acquisition – 2015/2016 (~40% remaining)
Finalize Phase II engineering – Spring 2015
Intergovernmental Agreements – Tollway, State, etc.
Seek additional Federal & State construction funding
Current Construction Cost Estimate: $97M
1st construction contract letting – targeting late 2015
Questions?