Environmental study OKs route
By Karen Mellen
Tribune staff reporter
The Federal Highway Administration has approved an environmental impact statement for the proposed extension of
Interstate Highway 355 into Will County, a move that paves the way--once money is found--for the construction of
a road that has been held up for five years.
A federal judge halted preparations for the extension in 1997 because the Illinois Department of Transportation
and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority had not adequately looked at alternatives.
But the federal environmental study found the 12.5-mile extension from Bolingbrook to New Lenox to be necessary
and the best way to move traffic, said Richard Adorjan, a spokesman for IDOT in Springfield.
"The federal record of decision makes it quite clear that this study shows this [road] is really the only
alternative that will meet the needs of the area," Adorjan said. "We're very pleased because we believe
there always has been a demonstrated need for this road."
The decision, which was delivered to IDOT Monday, also states that the proposed road would cause the least impact
on the environment, Adorjan said.
But a representative from the Environmental Law and Policy Center, which opposes the I-355 extension, said the
statement still does not adequately address alternatives to a four-lane highway through the southwest suburbs.
"The final environmental impact statement is woefully inadequate," said Paul Gaynor, a staff attorney
with the center.
Funding also remains an issue, he said, because the toll authority does not have funds to fix existing roads, much
less build an extension.
The proposed road would run from where the highway now ends in Bolingbrook at Interstate Highway 55 to New Lenox,
providing a connection between I-55 and Interstate Highway 80.
"It would be absurd to try to extend the system when you can't fix the existing system," Gaynor said.
"It's completely irresponsible. It's akin to putting an addition on your house when your roof is leaking."
The center is considering its options, including suing to halt work on the extension, he said.
Joelle McGinnis, spokeswoman for the state toll highway authority, said existing roadways are the top priority
but she pointed out that the legislature directed the toll highway authority to study the possible extension. She
also noted the plans and funding for any extension must be approved by the governor.
In 1999, the price tag for the extension stood at $700 million. A large chunk of which would build a milelong bridge
to mitigate some environmental concerns, McGinnis said.
U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-Ill.) said earlier this year that the extension would be a boost for economic development.