July, 2007 - Randall Road
Transcription
July, 2007 - Randall Road
RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY In This Issue Introduction Public Meeting Announcement Study Area Phase I Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Evaluation Process An enhanced process for McHenry County …Expanded Public Involvement Program Related Projects Schedule Frequently Asked Questions For Further Information Contact NEWSLETTER 1 ● JULY 2007 INTRODUCTION This is the first of two newsletters on the Randall Road Improvements Study, a Phase I Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study for Randall Road between County Line Road and Ackman Road. The project was initiated by McHenry County in the spring of 2007. The goal of the approximately twoyear long study is to identify an alternative that will relieve the congested traffic conditions along the corridor felt by motorists of McHenry County and surrounding communities. McHenry County has retained HDR Engineering, Inc. and their team (including Baxter and Woodman Consulting Engineers, RH Anderson and Associates, Wilbur-Smith Associates, and SCI Engineering) to prepare the Phase I study that includes the identification of the various needs for the project (safety, traffic, pedestrian, etc.), evaluation of alternatives (based on needs and environmental impacts), and development of the preferred improvements which will be recommended for further study in the second phase of the project, Major Project Tasks Design. This study will develop a comprehensive solution that addresses the communities’ goals and needs. As funding for the Data Collection and Analysis construction of the Randall Road project is limited, additional Traffic Operational / Safety Analysis funding is needed for the Preferred Alternative to be carried forward Environmental Evaluation through design and construction. A Strategic Funding Plan will be Drainage Analysis developed as part of this study to identify and evaluate potential Alternatives Analysis funding sources for future phases of the project. Preliminary Design of Preferred Alternative In the early 1990s, Randall Road was designated as a Strategic Public Involvement / CSS Coordination Regional Arterial (SRA). Strategic Regional Arterials (SRA’s) are a network of highways designed to accommodate long distance regional traffic, to complement a region’s major transit and highway facilities, and to supplement the freeway system. Randall Road is a primary north-south arterial in southern McHenry County that many residents use for Interstate 90 (I-90) access through Kane County since McHenry County does not have direct access to I-90. Refer to Figure 1 on page 2. Over the last five years numerous new developments along the Randall Road corridor have contributed to the congested traffic conditions that motorists are faced with today. McHenry County Division of Transportation recognizes these conditions and is taking steps to address the situation. PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT July 25, 2007 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Crystal Lake South High School – cafeteria 1200 South McHenry Avenue, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 You are invited to attend an Open House Public Meeting for the Randall Road Improvements Study. The purpose of this public meeting is to inform the public that a study is underway and to solicit input on the need of the project. The meeting location is accessible to persons with a disability. Persons with a disability planning to attend this hearing should notify Wally Dittrich (815-334-4980) by July 23, 2007. If special accommodations are needed, Mr. Dittrich, the contact person, should be informed at the time of notification. Page 1 Page 2 RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY STUDY AREA The study limits extend approximately 3.5 miles from the intersection of Randall Road and County Line Road (near the Algonquin Commons shopping center) to the intersection of Randall Road and Ackman Road. The study area is located in the City of Crystal Lake, Village of Algonquin, and. Village of Lake in the Hills Page 3 RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY PHASE I PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION PROCESS Within the Phase I process, all identified reasonable alternatives will be evaluated and potential social, economic, and environmental impacts will be avoided or minimized. The result of the evaluation is the identification of a Preferred Alternative that will be recommended for further study in the design and construction phases of the project. Of all the alternatives analyzed in the study, the Preferred Alternative should include improvements that best address the purpose and need for the project. The Preferred Alternative Figure 2 shows the typical process for Phase I: Preliminary Design/ Environmental Evaluation. Phase I Process Project Initiation Data Collection Purpose and Need Alternatives Identification Alternatives Evaluation Select Preferred Alt. Phase I Report Phase II Design Phase III Construction = Public Meetings or Hearing Consensus on Preferred Alternative Consensus on Alternatives to be Evaluated Consensus on Criteria and Process Consensus on Purpose and Need Consensus on Study Approach and Scope * bli i Figure 2 The Randall Road Improvements Study involves preparing a Phase I Report which focuses on alternatives analysis and environmental evaluation. Potential impacts to the resources will be completed. The design of the Preferred Alternative will be modified to avoid and minimize impacts. If avoidance is not feasible, mitigation measures will be identified. Stakeholder Involvement is built into the Phase I process. Through the expanded Public Involvement Program for the Randall Road Improvements Study there will be opportunities for stakeholders to get involved and provide input throughout the entire Phase I Process. Page 4 RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY AN ENHANCED PROCESS FOR MCHENRY COUNTY… … EXPANDED STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM The Randall Road Improvements Study is incorporating an expanded Stakeholder Involvement Program based on Goals and Objectives of expanded Public principles of a context sensitive solutions (CSS) approach. Involvement Program This approach is an enhanced process that McHenry Determine project context with stakeholder input County is quite familiar with which is being used to and consensus ultimately develop a transportation solution which is Develop a project purpose sensitive to the communities' needs and the environment while considering the total context within which a Treat all involved parties with respect and dignity, transportation project will exist. While the CSS process has in a transparent manner and in a way that ensures only been formalized over the past several years with that their input is duly heard and considered published guidance, McHenry County has been following Identify reasonable alternative solutions to solve the principles of CSS for a number of years. Although the identified transportation problems with stakeholder study is not using the formal Illinois Department of input and concurrence Transportation or Federal Highway Administration CSS Choose a preferred alternative solution to identified process, the study is using CSS principles which include the transportation problems for the project with employment of early, continuous, and meaningful stakeholder input and concurrence involvement of the public and all stakeholders throughout the project development process. The expanded Stakeholder Involvement Program for the Randall Road Improvements Study includes a Public Meeting for Scoping, a Public Meeting for Alternatives Evaluation, a Public Hearing for Preferred Alternatives and the Review of Environmental Results, a website, newsletters, meetings with agencies and special interest groups, and a Community Advisory Council (CAC) that will work with McHenry County throughout the entire Phase I process to achieve their purpose of being a liaison between the public and McHenry County to ensure community views are expressed and recommendations are made in the best interest of the communities. Twelve meetings are currently scheduled for the CAC. Membership on the CAC includes elected officials from local municipalities among other project stakeholders, local agencies, and special interest groups. Citizens are encouraged to direct concerns and questions to the CAC throughout the duration of the project. RELATED PROJECTS There are several on-going and proposed projects that will impact the Randall Road Improvements Study, including: RAKOW ROAD PHASE I WIDENING STUDY: The Rakow Road Phase I Widening Study was initiated by McHenry County in October 2005. The limits of the study are Ackman Road on the west and Illinois Route 31 on the east. The study includes the widening of Rakow Road from two lanes to four lanes with a median, the realignment of Rakow Road between McHenry Avenue and Pyott Road to flatten the existing large curve, and intersection improvements. The project schedule for the Rakow Road Phase I Widening Study targets Phase I engineering completion by the end of 2007, Phase II engineering in 2008, and construction along Rakow Road to be initiated in 2009. Additional information on this project can be found on the internet at http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/Common/ CountyDpt/Highway/RakowRoad.asp. ALGONQUIN ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT: Construction along Algonquin Road was recently initiated by McHenry County in April 2007. The project includes the reconstruction and widening along a 4.8 mile section of Algonquin Road from IL Rout 47 to Randall Road. The roadway will be widened to include two travel lanes in each direction and new turn lanes at the key intersections. This project is estimated for completion by the Fall of 2008. Additional information on this project can be found on the internet at www.algonquinroad.info. OTHER DEVELOPMENT: There are several other known developments along the Randall Road study corridor that may influence traffic conditions within the study area. These developments are either under construction or proposed for development and are located along the Randall Road corridor as follows: Southeast quadrant of Randall Road and County Line Road Intersection (Algonquin Galleria shopping center currently under construction). Southwest quadrant of Randall Road and Harnish Drive Intersection (land proposed for commercial development). Northwest quadrant of Randall Road and Miller Road Intersection (land proposed for commercial development). Northwest corner of frontage road and Angela Lane Intersection (Randall North Business Center currently under construction). Northeast and Southeast quadrants of Randall Road and Ackman Road Intersection (CVS currently under construction and adjacent land is for sale as residential/commercial development potential). As the study progresses, other developments may be identified that will be evaluated as part of the project. Page 5 RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY SCHEDULE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Why am I receiving a newsletter? This newsletter is published and mailed to all identified stakeholders and any others expressing a desire to keep upto-date on project information. 3. What other ways can I keep informed on the study’s progress? The best way to keep updated is to check the Randall Road Improvements Study website at www.randallroad.info. The website will evolve and updates will become more frequent as the project moves forward. 2. What is a stakeholder? Community stakeholders are individuals or organizations/groups with a stake, an interest, or an investment in a community issue or outcome. Their interest may stem from a professional or personal interest in an issue or may result from a commitment to achieve some outcome. A first step in achieving meaningful public involvement in project development involves identifying the individuals and organizations/groups likely to be affected by the project, those who have a "stake" in its outcome. For the Randall Road Improvements Study stakeholders will include owners of property adjacent to the various alignments, users of the facility, representatives of jurisdictions in which the alternatives are located, transportation service providers in the area, and a wide range of interest groups. Stakeholders are people likely to support the project as well as those likely to oppose it. The views and feedback of stakeholders are important to receive and consider during a project to ensure a comprehensive solution is developed. 4. How can I get involved? There are two public meetings and one public hearing planned for the Randall Road Improvements Study. The first public meeting will be on July 25, 2007. The purpose of the first meeting is to introduce the project and to solicit information on the need of the project. There will be a second public meeting in the spring of 2008 to review preliminary alternatives and a public hearing in the winter of 2008 to present an overview of the study and the preferred alternative. 5. Will there be an assessment of traffic noise impacts to homes adjacent to the project area? Yes, traffic noise will be analyzed for all identified representative receptors including residences, businesses and parks in accordance with Illinois Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration policy and procedures. Page 6 RANDALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS STUDY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Wally Dittrich, P.E. Design Manager McHenry County Division of Transportation 16111 Nelson Road Woodstock, IL 60098 815-334-4980 (fax: 4989) [email protected] MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Public Meeting Open House July 25, 2007 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Crystal Lake South High School 1200 South McHenry Ave Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Visit the Project Website: www.RandallRoad.info MCHENRY COUNTY DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION 16111 NELSON ROAD WOODSTOCK, IL 60098