This page provides regular updates on the progress of the I-55 at Weber Road Study. Check back often to see the latest on what’s happening with the study! All materials, schedules and other study resources are available for download on the Study Documents and Links Page.

Project Schedule

The I-55 at Weber Road Categorical Exclusion Type II (CE II) is in Phase I of the IDOT process (Planning), with a Public Hearing anticipated in spring of 2013 and final completed anticipated for summer of 2013. Phase I is often referred to as the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study Phase. Phase I involves the analysis of existing and future conditions, defining the Purpose and Need for an improvement, and developing and analyzing improvement alternatives. The culmination of the Phase I Study concludes with the selection of the preferred alternative.

Phase II is the design and land acquisition stage in the project process. After a preferred alternative is approved, plans are developed and required right of way is acquired. Phase II typically takes 2 years to complete.

Phase III is the construction phase for the improvement.

Phase I Engineering is currently underway for the reconstruction of Interstate Route 55 at Weber Road interchange. This Phase I Engineering is funded through a partnership with IDOT and Will County. Design approval is anticipated in Summer, 2013. Phase II Engineering, Land Acquisition, Construction and Construction Engineering for this project is included in our Department’s FY 2013-2018 Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Program contingent upon the sale of approximately 200 acres of unused property currently owned by the Illinois Department Corrections as stipulated in House Bill 0735, and contingent upon local financial participation for improvements to adjacent highway facilities under local jurisdiction.  

Where Are We Now?

The study of the interchange at I-55 and Weber Road is currently near the end of Phase I. The project team has developed a Purpose and Need statement and conducted analyses of existing and future conditions. An initial range of alternatives was developed that incorporated input from the public, agencies, and the project team. After a series of analyses, including a fatal flaw screening, a purpose and need screening, and an impact evaluation, a preliminary preferred alternative was identified.

The project team is continuing technical engineering and environmental studies, which will be presented in an environmental document called a Categorical Exclusion. The preliminary preferred alternative will be presented at a Public Hearing in Spring 2013, at which time the public will have the opportunity to review and comment on the selection.
 

Study Schedule

The two public meetings and seven Community Advisory Group meetings that have been held thus far are described below.

Public Hearing
A Public Hearing will be held in Spring 2013.

Public Meetings

2nd Public Information Meeting (PIM #2) – May 12, 2011
A public meeting was held at Romeoville Village Hall on Thursday, May 12, 2011 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was to update the public on the project status, present the project problem statement, present the Purpose and need, review the Initial range of alternative, introduce the alternative evaluation process and screening criteria, and to explain next steps in the project process. Comments and new ideas provided by the attendees were collected by the project team. An agenda and additional documents from this meeting can be found on the Study Documents page.

1st Public Information Meeting (PIM #1) - April 7, 2010
The first Public Meeting for the study was held on April 7, 2010, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Bolingbrook Golf Club in Bolingbrook. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information on the project, including the study team, process, and schedule, gather input on the project’s community context, and describe the next steps of the study. The meeting was open house format and attended by 75 people, including elected officials and staff from Will County, and the Villages of Romeoville, Bolingbrook, and Crest Hill. The meeting was also well attended by businesses and residents adjacent to the project study area. The presentation and handouts given at this meeting are available on the Study Documents page.

Community Advisory Group (CAG) Meetings

CAG Meeting #7
The seventh CAG meeting was held on June 12, 2012 at the Romeoville Village Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to present the results of the alternative evaluation process. The project team reviewed the Purpose and Need Screening and Impact Evaluation Process. The team presented and gathered input on the remaining alternative(s) as a result of the alternative evaluation process.  The agenda and additional documents from this meeting can be found on the Study Documents page.

CAG Meeting #6
The sixth CAG meeting was held on August 31, 2011 at the Romeoville Village Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to review the alternatives evaluation process and discuss the 21 potential project alternatives. The project team described the “fatal flaw” screening process (environmental and community issues) and solicited the CAG’s input on various stages of screening and evaluation of the alternatives. The agenda and additional documents from this meeting can be found on the Study Documents page.

CAG Meeting #5
The fifth CAG meeting was held on April 26th, 2011 at the Romeoville Village Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to review and solicit input on the presentation and displays for Public Meeting #2, held on May 12, 2011. An agenda and additional documents from this meeting can be found on the Study Documents page.

CAG Meeting #4
The purpose of CAG Meeting #4 was to provide a project status update, review the draft Purpose and Need for the project, present engineering and environmental considerations, and to develop an initial range of improvement alternatives. Information was presented to the group and attendees participated in an alternatives development workshop. An agenda and additional documents from this meeting can be found on the Study Documents page.

CAG Meeting #3
The third CAG meeting was held on November 30, 2010 at the Romeoville Village Hall. The purpose of CAG Meeting #3 was to present an update on the project status, review the draft Purpose and Need for the project, present criteria that may be used in to evaluate alternatives, and present the process for evaluating alternatives. An agenda and additional documents from this meeting can be found on the Study Documents page.

CAG Meeting #2
The second CAG meeting was held on November 9, 2010 at the Romeoville Recreation Center. The purpose of CAG #2 was to present an update on the project status, review the results of the first CAG meeting, and present a draft of the Purpose and Need Report. An agenda and additional documents from this meeting can be found on the Study Documents page.

CAG Meeting #1
The first CAG meeting was held on June 23, 2010 at the Romeoville Recreation Center. The CAG consists of elected officials and staff from Will County and the Village of Romeoville as well as residents and representatives from local business. The purpose of CAG #1 was to discuss the study process, initial findings, the role of the CAG, and to perform a workshop to brainstorm the more subtle transportation problems at the I-55 at Weber Road Interchange. The results from the Problem Statement Workshop and other materials from this meeting can be found on the Study Documents page.