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Aurora Beacon-News
August 21, 2002

Prairie Parkway adds new twist to Eldamain plan

Traffic studies: Previous ridership projections didn't take proposed highway into account

By Mike Norbut
STAFF WRITER

YORKVILLE ó It has taken several months for Kendall County highway officials to receive data they need to decide whether an Eldamain Road extension is necessary. Now, that data might already be fairly obsolete.

The county has received 2020 traffic projections for the Eldamain Road corridor from the Chicago Area Transportation Study, but they do not take the proposed Prairie Parkway into account.

Highway officials have asked CATS to see how Eldamain Road projections would be affected if the outer-belt highway, which is designed to connect interstates 88 and 80, would be built.

State highway officials in July recorded a center line for the Prairie Parkway. Kendall County had decided to pursue an Eldamain Road study in January.

"We have to find out if both projects are needed," county engineer Francis Klaas said. "We have to go back and look at the formulas."

Klaas declined to discuss specifics of the study until it is ready for public review in September, when the county's Public Works Committee is expected to discuss the study, with the impact of the Prairie Parkway factored in.

"We actually have way more information now than we did weeks ago," Klaas said. "I'm certain, if the Prairie Parkway were built, it would have an impact on Eldamain Road."

The extension for Eldamain Road, as proposed, would cross the Fox River south of River Road and cut southwest to connect with Highpoint Road where it meets Fox Road.

The route would follow Highpoint Road south until it nears Route 71. It then would break away from Highpoint Road, cross Route 71 about 500 feet to the east and eventually join Lisbon Road.

The road has been a source of contention among County Board members and residents in the area for several months. The board has decided to wait until a study is conducted to set a center line for the road.

"In the end, it's a policy decision by the board," Klaas said. "Whether or not I think it's justified is one thing. Even if the project's justified, they may say it's too expensive or not worth it."