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The Schedule
The City has started the preliminary engineering for the project. This part of the process is sometimes called "Phase I Engineering", or the "Study and Report Phase". Download the Project Timeline illustration here.
In order to better understand this part of the engineering work, you might think of taking a long trip: The first step would be to get a map and find your present location on the map. Then, you would find your destination on the map and trace all the different routes you might take to reach your destination. You will eventually choose one route that will get you to your destination. You may choose the route that is the fastest, or cheapest, or has the best scenery. You may also choose not to take the trip because it costs too much, or for some other reason that is important to you.
Just like planning a trip, the preliminary engineering for this project will need a map. The map that the engineering team will use are the requirements and procedures that have been established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). In a simplified example, the process can take the form of answering a series of questions:
Where are we now? The project team will make baseline surveys of the project study area including taking traffic counts, topographic survey, and submitting requests to IDOT to perform environmental surveys. This baseline data will be used to identify deficiencies in the system.
Where do we want to be? The team will involve community leaders and the public to determine the purpose for the project based on the needs of the community. This will be done through coordination with local leaders and informational meetings for the public to initiate a dialog and provide a basis to offer input for project consideration.
How can we get there? A range of alternatives will be developed including a "no-build" alternative. The potential impacts of each of the alternatives will be studied. Potential impacts include environmental impacts of the construction itself and of the automobile traffic through the corridor, impacts on cultural and historical sites, and cost impacts of the project.
What is the best way? The alternatives will be evaluated to minimize the potential impacts.
Are we there yet? A single preferred alternative will be selected from the range of alternates that were identified and studied. This alternative will be presented to the public in the Project Development Report. The public will be allowed to make comments on the preferred alternate and the preliminary engineering process at a public hearing.
Can we continue with the project? The comments obtained at the public hearing will be incorporated into the Project Development Report and the final report will be submitted to IDOT and FHWA for design approval.
If the project is approved for design, the City will begin Phase II Engineering to develop final plans and specifications for construction.