US 30 Environmental Impact Statement and
Phase I Design Report
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much time will Phase I require? Is funding secured to support the
project through construction?
It is anticipated that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Phase I
Design Report will be completed in 2014. Currently, funding has only been
secured to finance this phase of the project.
- What is the importance of the Purpose and Need Statement?
The Purpose and Need Statement is federally required and is the basis for
evaluating alternatives and environmental impacts in the EIS. It establishes
why a project should take place and explains to the public and
decision-makers that the expenditure of funds is necessary and worthwhile.
Although significant environmental impacts are expected to result from the
project, the Purpose and Need Statement should justify why impacts are
acceptable based on the project's importance. The project’s Purpose and Need
Statement drives the process for alternatives consideration, in-depth analyses, and
ultimate selection. Without a well-defined, well-established, and
well-justified Purpose and Need Statement, it will be difficult to determine
which alternatives are reasonable, prudent, and practical. Also, it may be
impossible to dismiss the no-build alternative.
- Would a three-lane widening of US 30 as it passes through Morrison
satisfy the Purpose and Need Statement “To reduce traffic congestion,
improve traffic capacity, improve safety, accommodate freight, and establish
roadway continuity?”
A three-lane roadway configuration could potentially reduce traffic
congestion, improve traffic capacity, improve safety, and accommodate
freight based on our current traffic volumes. However, the proposed project
and its roadway design/alignment must accommodate not only the traffic that
utilizes the roadway today, but that which is anticipated to utilize the
route within the next 20 years. Based on our projected traffic volumes, a
three-lane improvement would be insufficient to meet the goals of the
Purpose and Need Statement within the 20-year timeframe.
- When will land acquisition occur? How is the amount of right-of-way
(ROW) determined? When will you begin identifying properties that may be
impacted by the project?
The Department can begin acquiring right-of-way (ROW) after the EIS and
Phase I Design Report are approved and funding for ROW has been secured. The
amount of ROW is set on the basis of what is needed to provide a safe and
functional highway for the traveling public. Potential alignments will be
shown to the public as they are developed. Impacted property owners will be
contacted individually when a recommended alignment has been chosen.
- Who determines how much compensation I will receive for the proposed ROW
that the Department will acquire with the project, and how is it calculated?
The Department would have an appraisal prepared on your property to
determine fair market value, either by an IDOT staff appraiser or a private
appraiser hired by the Department. They would determine the value of the
area being purchased from you and any damage to the remaining parcel. If the
whole property is being acquired, additional relocation assistance would be
provided by the Department.
- I believe my home/farmstead is historic. Therefore, the State cannot
touch it, right?
The State can acquire property from a historic home/farmstead. The
Department will conduct a historic survey of the project area and receive a
determination from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency regarding
structures that have historical context. It is possible that we will acquire
some ROW from these properties and we will make every effort to avoid the
structures.
- If a bypass is built, who will maintain the existing US 30 through town?
Maintenance of the roadway could remain the responsibility of the State, or
a jurisdictional transfer agreement could be developed between the State and
a local entity (city, township or county). This would be determined during
the Phase II (design) of the project, which is not currently funded.
- How were Community Advisory Group (CAG) members selected for the
project? Is it possible for other interested citizens to join the CAG as the
project progresses? What if a CAG member is not effectively representing
their particular interest group?
The CAG members were selected from individuals, groups, organizations, and
agencies from the communities within the project study area representing a
wide cross-section of people and interests. If the Project Study Group (PSG)
believes adequate representation is not being provided through the
established CAG, an individual may be asked to join the CAG. Also if it is
determined that a group is not being sufficiently represented by a current
CAG member, the PSG will work with that interest group to determine if there
is a more suitable representative to serve on the CAG. Continuity is very
important in the CSS process and therefore a decision such as this would be
given great consideration by the PSG.
- How can I get involved during this phase of the project?
The Department has outlined a very open and engaging community involvement
plan through its Context Sensitive Solutions process. The plan creates a
forum for the public to be educated, informed and involved throughout the
entire EIS and Phase I Design Report. Such opportunities include
participating in public meetings, visiting the project website (www.dot.il.gov/us30/index1.html),
calling the project hotline at 1-866-ROUTE30 (1-866-768-8330), requesting
the Project Study Team to speak to your group, and attending the CAG
meetings.
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