IDOT Interstate Connector News

Aurora Beacon-News
August 25, 2003

Highway fight persists while doubt creeps in

By Mike Cetera

Mike O'Connell performs with the Grasslands Quintet Sunday during the second Stop the Beltway protest picnic, held at one of the farms that would be affected by the proposed highway linking Interstate 88 with Interstate 80. Objectors vow to continue their efforts to stop the road project.

STAFF WRITER

BIG ROCK — At the invisible intersection between the farms cultivated for generations and the swath of land that could one day shepherd thousands of motorists, there lies a nagging question.

Some opponents of the proposed Prairie Parkway have taken to wonder: Is there anything that can be done to stop its construction?

Indeed, many who gathered at the second "Stop the Beltway" picnic Sunday at a farm just outside the road's corridor expressed optimism their fight would be successful. But for every use of the word "miracle" came the frustration of what some termed "inevitable."

"I feel like we're beating a dead horse," said Jim Buhle, whose Minooka farm lies near the end of the road's proposed southern path. "If IDOT wants to condemn (the land), they're going to condemn it."

Buhle and his wife, Rose, traveled to the Big Rock farm of Marvel Davis seeking hope from the organizers of Citizens Against the Sprawlway, the group fighting the siting of the proposed road through western Kane and Kendall counties linking Interstate 88 with Interstate 80. Dozens of residents along the road's corridor also attended, as did several Kane County and state elected officials.

Opponents have argued the road is unneeded and would bring unwanted development to an agriculturally significant area of the state. Further, they have expressed fear the road would damage delicate ecosystems, particularly along Big Rock Creek.

Those supporting construction of the road, most notably U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, have said a regional highway is necessary to efficiently move traffic north and south.

Yet organizers of the second annual picnic pledged to keep fighting, even after a year that has seen several legal setbacks. A judge has twice blocked efforts by opponents to stop the Illinois Department of Transportation from recording the 400-foot wide corridor that extends some 36 miles.

"I think there's somewhat a sense of the inevitable for some people," said Jan Strasma, one of the leaders of Citizens Against the Sprawlway. "But it's not a done deal."

Said Davis: "That's what I think they would like us to think: That it's a done deal. It's not."

Strasma said the group was optimistic IDOT officials were sincere when they recently told opponents the agency was taking seriously a study of the need for the road. Residents at the rally said the state also surveyed people who use roads in western Kane County to get a sense of where they travel to and from.

Others said they hoped state and federal budget constraints would sink the plan.

"I don't think it's inevitable," said Big Rock resident Ed Sutoris. "First of all, the state's out of money."

But Strasma noted in a short speech before the group that the state was moving forward with purchasing land along the corridor.

Strasma said the group would continue hosting annual picnics until they stop the road.

"We're hoping for some miracles," Rose Buhle said.