IDOT Interstate Connector News

Aurora Beacon-News
August 8, 2003

The Chicago Area Transportation Study has wisely placed a "go slow" sign on the proposed "Prairie Parkway" to connect I-80 and I-88 in Kane, Kendall and Grundy counties. The transportation study's draft 2030 transportation blueprint, announced Friday, has labeled the Prairie Parkway as a corridor for further study — but not for immediate funding.

This is a highway without a mission and without a destination. Minooka at its southern point is already served by two interstates, and the dead end at I-88 would force northbound traffic on to nearby Illinois 47 or 20 miles west to Interstate 39.

The Prairie Parkway's only reason for existence seems to be to give interstate access to Yorkville and Plano, Rep. Dennis Hastert's hometowns, and to benefit developers there. Even then, existing Illinois 47 provides a more direct connection to I-88 than the beltway route.

The beltway would accelerate sprawl in western Kane and Kendall counties, both of which have well-conceived plans for maintaining agricultural land use. In fact, most of the proposed route is through areas predicted to develop slowly, if at all — unless the Prairie Parkway is built.

The north-south traffic needs of the area can better be met by expanding Illinois Highway 47 which parallels the beltway route and by improving other local roads. Rep. Hastert and the Illinois Department of Transportation have prematurely labeled the Prairie Parkway as one of three highest priority projects for the next six-year federal funding legislation. But, IDOT has not even completed its needs assessment for the Kane and Kendall area and has not yet determined the best way to meet those undefined transportation needs. Meanwhile, state budget constraints preclude any funds for the state's required 20 percent of the $1 billion constructioncost.

To promote the Prairie Parkway now is to announce the solution and then go looking for the questions.

Jan Strasma Maple Park