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Post by d204mom on Jun 27, 2008 7:25:30 GMT -6
Tollway commits to Eola Road interchange
June 26, 2008
BY SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP
Work could start as early as this year on an Interstate 88 interchange at Eola Road.
On Thursday morning, the Tollway Authority board approved the intergovernmental agreement that splits the funding for the $50.8 million interchange between Aurora, DuPage County and the Tollway.
“This essentially reiterates the Tollway’s commitment to this project,” said Tollway spokesperson Joelle McGinnis.
DuPage County will contribute $19.3 million to the project. Aurora will contribute $6.1 million in land acquisition. The Tollway will make up the other half of the funding.
Drivers on Eola Road will be able to exit to the tollway directly, going East or West. Drivers leaving the tollway will be sent down Deihl or Bilter roads, then filter to Eola Road, McGinnis said.
The board also authorized the design firm to complete the preliminary designs for the interchange.
The plan hopes to reduce the traffic on Route 59, which can often back up near the tollway. DuPage County and Aurora recently brought back the long-discussed plan.
“From the tollway’s perspective we don’t need this interchange, but it’s something that they have both identified what they need,” McGinnis said.
The next step is to complete the design and engineering studies. Then, Aurora will need to work on acquiring the property needed for the interchange. Utility work could start as earlier as this year, McGinnis said.
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Post by d204mom on Jun 27, 2008 7:27:13 GMT -6
Well they've got the money so it looks like it's a go ASAP. Obviously Aurora city officials knew this was coming, wonder if they warned D204 about it?
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Post by sashimi on Jun 27, 2008 8:01:23 GMT -6
Do you think that D204 cares about this new wrinkle given the reckless abandon that has taken place so far.
They had no problem building the school on the Midwest Gen land despite the envirenmental concerns, have no problem with increasing transportation times for our children, and they have no problem with significantly increasing rail crossing traffic for our kids, why would they care about this?
What a traffic zoo this will be at the gates of the new high school (especially in the mornings).
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Post by Arch on Jun 27, 2008 8:17:03 GMT -6
Well they've got the money so it looks like it's a go ASAP. Obviously Aurora city officials knew this was coming, wonder if they warned D204 about it? People here said it was happening, but the 'How dare you criticize our leaders' crew was quick to point out how they heard about this for over a decade and it wasn't happening any time soon to be of any concern. We'll eventually see who was right. |
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Post by doctorwho on Jun 27, 2008 8:25:37 GMT -6
Do you think that D204 cares about this new wrinkle given the reckless abandon that has taken place so far. They had no problem building the school on the Midwest Gen land despite the envirenmental concerns, have no problem with increasing transportation times for our children, and they have no problem with significantly increasing rail crossing traffic for our kids, why would they care about this? What a traffic zoo this will be at the gates of the new high school (especially in the mornings). they won't care one iota. If this was a landing strip being installed on Eola ,they would find a way to tell everyone there will be no impact. Again name me one SB member who will be directly affected by this today ? Bingo. If they all couldn't get to the site before, what are the chances now ? So now there will be an increase in truck traffic exiting - especially those coming from the west , headed for all those loading docks just east of the school.Maybe someone can send a few google maps to those firms with alternative routes and explain it's only a few miles more this other way. Interesting that when they were spouting about how it's been decadesand no ramp - the mayor either neglected to clue them in or they forgot to relay that info. just add this to the list ..............not that it matters any more |
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Post by d204mom on Jun 27, 2008 8:38:54 GMT -6
Interesting that when they were spouting about how it's been decadesand no ramp - the mayor either neglected to clue them in or they forgot to relay that info. I don't blame the mayor of Aurora or Alderman Lynda (sp?) one bit. How is it their problem if D204 did not conduct due diligence? They were just happy the city of Aurora didn't lose the shiny new school to Naperville (Macom). ETA - Illinois politics at it's finest. It's all about the kids, right? Aurora is coughing up 6.1 M to fund it - OF COURSE they knew about it. |
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Post by entitled on Jun 27, 2008 15:11:58 GMT -6
Well they've got the money so it looks like it's a go ASAP. Obviously Aurora city officials knew this was coming, wonder if they warned D204 about it? People here said it was happening, but the 'How dare you criticize our leaders' crew was quick to point out how they heard about this for over a decade and it wasn't happening any time soon to be of any concern. We'll eventually see who was right. Like the bridge that would never be built  Go figure. For all those who thought BB would offer traffic challenges - you ain't seen nothing yet. But Rt 59 will see some relief ;D ;D |
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Post by sashimi on Jun 27, 2008 15:31:12 GMT -6
Entitled...I agree...GREAT news for those of us who use Route 59 (think of all of the heavy truck traffic that will be rerouted to the Eola ramp to access all of the commerical buildings in the Eola/Moilter area).
Simply fantastic news and we should all write to thank IDOT and the City of Aurora for this fantastic traffic relief from Route 59!
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Post by doctorwho on Jun 27, 2008 16:43:36 GMT -6
Entitled...I agree...GREAT news for those of us who use Route 59 (think of all of the heavy truck traffic that will be rerouted to the Eola ramp to access all of the commerical buildings in the Eola/Moilter area). Simply fantastic news and we should all write to thank IDOT and the City of Aurora for this fantastic traffic relief from Route 59! The answers to these and likely most other questions we're asking are available - wejust haven't been given the data. I understand the district requested and received a study on the traffic impact of this interchange. NowI knowafter getting the letter explaining how information will just be flowing freely to us these days, it is likely just hung upin red tape and I am sure they will release it any day year now. I guess 'we' did know about this development a while ago - and much like everything else, I am sure if this contained good news we'd already have it. |
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Post by doctorwho on Jun 27, 2008 16:46:15 GMT -6
Interesting that when they were spouting about how it's been decadesand no ramp - the mayor either neglected to clue them in or they forgot to relay that info. I don't blame the mayor of Aurora or Alderman Lynda (sp?) one bit. How is it their problem if D204 did not conduct due diligence? They were just happy the city of Aurora didn't lose the shiny new school to Naperville (Macom). ETA - Illinois politics at it's finest. It's all about the kids, right? Aurora is coughing up 6.1 M to fund it - OF COURSE they knew about it. My understanding is that this has been a central topic @ Lynda's Aurora Ward Committee...so of course they knew about it. As did your school district ( see my last post about the traffic study they requested and received ) I know you're stunned |
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Post by d204mom on Jun 27, 2008 19:34:36 GMT -6
There is a graphic in the Trib that shows the ramps on Diehl and Bilter. www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi080627tollway_gfx,0,1207345.graphic I don't care what color glasses you're wearing, this is NOT good news. You will have to turn west onto Diehl from Eola to get to the Eastbound I-88 on ramp. What a mess for the school buses to fight with I-88 traffic in the am. If any Aurora officials have any sense at all they should take enough easement on both sides of Eola RIGHT NOW to widen it an extra lane from I-88 on south. Of course, that would involve being proactive and learning from past Rt. 59 mistakes. |
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Post by specailneedsmom on Jun 27, 2008 20:23:53 GMT -6
I think it will help real estate values for those living in the north Eola corridor. For those living there and on Butterfield between Eola and Kirk it will be a welcome addition to their commutes. I guess I don't see how it will impact the trucks that go from north to south because they use 59 to get to 55 and 80. Eola doesn't offer them that.
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Post by Arch on Jun 27, 2008 23:35:48 GMT -6
I think it will help real estate values for those living in the north Eola corridor. For those living there and on Butterfield between Eola and Kirk it will be a welcome addition to their commutes. I guess I don't see how it will impact the trucks that go from north to south because they use 59 to get to 55 and 80. Eola doesn't offer them that. Some posters may like that additional bump. Call it a bank shot. |
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Post by cb on Jun 28, 2008 10:27:21 GMT -6
I think it goes like this, "if you build it, they will come". If it is being built to relieve congestion on Rt 59, how does it not increase traffic on Eola?
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Post by specailneedsmom on Jun 28, 2008 10:40:57 GMT -6
That's a good point CB. It will increase traffic as well as additional development along Eola. It is a self-fulfilling, traffic nightmare waiting to happen.
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Go figure. For all those who thought BB would offer traffic challenges - you ain't seen nothing yet. But Rt 59 will see some relief ;D ;D