February 24, 2010 - 524 words
Dozens turn out for IDOT meeting
MIKE NEUMANN - The Woodstock Independent
Dozens of Woodstock residents and business owners along Route 47 attended the Illinois Department of Transportation's first public meeting to discuss possible changes to the roadway.
The Route 47 project scope includes a 4.5-mile stretch of road along Route 47 from Highway 14 to Charles Road. Beyond the stretch of roadway, no improvements have been determined. The Phase I preliminary engineering and environmental study is the only phase currently funded and is expected to take about three years to complete. Once funding becomes available, IDOT will begin Phase II -- design and land acquisition -- expected to take about two years. The final phase would be actual construction to the road.
Terry Egan, president and chief executive officer at Woodstock Christian Life Services, is part of IDOT's Citizen Advisory Group for the project. WCLS owns a significant amount of frontage along Route 47, north of Route 120.
According to IDOT, the CAG consists of community leaders in the study area and stakeholders with expertise or technical interest in environmental, land use, transportation and economic development affected by the study. The purpose of the CAG is to provide input on study elements, including defining needs and alternative development and evaluation criteria. The responsibilities of the CAG include providing input to the study process and reaching a consensus at key project milestones.
"From our perspective, safety of our residents is the main concern," Egan said when asked what he would like to see once the project is completed.
He said he hopes IDOT could put in some walking or bike paths along the road, which would be a benefit to residents of WCLS. Ultimately, however, Egan said he would like to see IDOT listen to the community's concerns and suggestions. He said he is encouraged that IDOT is taking time to meet with residents, and hopes they follow through with plans to work together.
Larry Piekos, owner of Cycle Craft Yamaha, 1000 S. Eastwood Drive, attended the meeting because of his business' unique location in regard to the project.
Piekos, who had served on Woodstock's Transportation Commission until stepping down about a year ago, runs his business in a building located just north of Union Pacific's Route 47 railroad bridge. Many in the city have expressed desire to widen the bridge to allow more lanes of traffic to flow through Route 47. The cost for that project is expected to run about $20 million, however, and would likely force Piekos to relocate his business.
Rather than widen Route 47 and the bridge, Piekos said he would like to see IDOT construct a bypass west of Route 47, an idea that has been discussed for a number of years.
"I think, for my position, I'm in the exact same position I was in 10 years ago," Piekos said. "By some of the indications, IDOT has not ruled that (a bypass) out."
While IDOT has made no official construction plans, the public meeting featured a large-scale map of the project area. People attending the meeting were allowed to make notes on the map indicating areas of concern along Route 47.
While Piekos admits there are problem areas along Route 47, he said he thinks constructing a bypass would clear up many safety concerns.
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