Public Input Sought Tonight on Proposed I-55 Interchange Projects

Community members are invited to give their input on the proposed I-55 interchange projects during an open house Thursday in Plainfield.

During the event, slated for 4 to 7 p.m. at , 24401 W. Lockport St., attendees can view the proposed alternative designs for the projects.

Officials said a new interchange at Interstate 55 and Lockport Street and expansion of the I-55 interchange at 126^th Street and Essington could pave the way for smoother traffic flow, less congestion and reduced travel times.

The phase I study, a  of the villages of ,  and , encompasses a six-mile stretch of I-55 between Weber Road and U.S. Route 30. 

The proposed projects could help alleviate congestion and delays by providing more access to I-55. At 126^th Street and Essington in particular, access is limited, with no southbound entrance to the interstate and no northbound exit.

According to the statement of purpose and need drafted by the project’s volunteer Community Advisory Group (CAG), the interchange improvements would improve regional connectivity, accommodate predicted growth in the community and reduce delays.

According to Dave Heslinga, director of transportation for V3 Companies, the delays “will only get exacerbated in the future as the community grows.”

The June 21 event will be the second public meeting, giving the three communities — and the Illinois Department of Transportation — the chance to hear feedback from residents before moving forward with the study.

As engineers and the CAG whittle down the list of options, a third public meeting is likely to be scheduled for mid-2013, Heslinga said, followed by a final public meeting in early 2014. The preferred alternative will be unveiled at the final meeting, although construction isn’t likely to begin for several years.

Ultimately, any proposed projects will need to be approved by both IDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.

Heslinga said construction would have to be done in phases, with the earliest possible completion date sometime in 2020. He estimates construction costs to be around $50 million.

More information about the phase I study so far is available on the project website.