'We Take A Very Proactive Approach' To Traffic: Plainfield Mayor

A letter to the editor submitted to Patch by Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis:

Our past Police Chief Konopek reminded us that over 500,000 people live within 10 miles of Plainfield. Surrounded by large towns such as Aurora, Joliet, Naperville and Bolingbrook and adding in several smaller towns, traffic is and will continue to be an issue. We’re also at the crossroads of three state highways and an interstate highway. Much of our traffic is through traffic.

I do want to assure our residents that we take a very proactive approach, and want to highlight the following:

1. We adopted a Mobility and Transportation Plan that includes over $160 million in projects, with the goal of implementing the plan over the next 10 years. The plan, created through significant public input, lays the groundwork for future projects within the Village while also identifying these projects for future grant funding. In addition to the $160 million identified for future projects, the Village also invests over $5 million annually in our Street Improvement program to maintain the condition of our existing roadway system.
2. 143rd Street east extension project is proceeding which will remove heavy traffic from the choke point of downtown and Route 59. This project has taken several years of planning, and the eastern leg will finally begin shortly after Labor Day. Staff has worked hard to obtain grants so that over 90 percent of this cost is paid for in that manner. The western expansion is well underway and will be completed later this year.
3. 119th Street and Route 59 are scheduled for significant traffic improvements in anticipation of Woodman’s and we’re studying the full length of it east to west, in collaboration with the City of Naperville.
4. 127th Street bridge will be completed this year and a full signal is scheduled to be installed at Naperville Road, as part of further improvements next year.
5. The 135th and 59 intersection has been a problem for years and is currently being redesigned to improve the traffic flow.
6. Renwick Road is scheduled to be widened to a three-lane cross-section from River Road to Route 59. The Village is currently in the right-of-way acquisition phase. Pending ROW, that project could go out to bid next year.

We are well aware that there are many other needs and projects that we are working on as well.

Development pays impact fees, we seek grants and dedicate a large part of our budget annually to fund these improvements. Other tax sources like dispensaries and the industrial corridor provide large sums — all of which fund these projects without being a tax burden on our homes.

I do urge you to explore our website to learn more. We will continue in these efforts and over time we will see problem areas improved. As in all things it takes focus, dedication, patience and money. Feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns jargoudelis@goplainfield.com.

Mayor Argoudelis