DeKalb Times

State Representatives Jeff Keicher and Dan Ugaste, along with State Senators Donald DeWitte and Dave Syverson, have sent a letter to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) requesting an updated strategic planning study for the Illinois Route 47 corridor. The last study for this corridor was conducted in 1995, and the legislators believe that the current conditions and demands require a fresh assessment.

The Rt. 47 corridor, between I-88 and I-90, is mainly a single lane in each direction. This limited capacity has led to congestion and safety concerns for communities along this route. The legislators emphasized the need for an updated plan in their letter to IDOT Secretary Omer Osman, stating, "We feel there is a need to update the Strategic Regional Arterial plan under 'Operation Greenlight' for Route 47... reality has changed the dynamics of those recommendations."

One of the communities affected by the congestion is Pingree Grove, which has experienced significant population growth in recent years. Amber Kubiak, the Village President of Pingree Grove, highlighted the impact of traffic on the community, saying, "The amount of traffic is affecting the quality of life for our residents' daily routines and hindering our prospects for future commercial growth."

Elburn, another community along the Rt. 47 corridor, is facing safety concerns due to increased freight and semi-truck traffic. Elburn Mayor Jeff Walter expressed the need for a new plan, stating, "Given it's been nearly thirty years since the last IDOT strategic plan for Rt. 47, we need to get the ball rolling on a new one."

In their letter, the legislators outlined specific concerns, including school zone safety in Lily Lake, the need for a new realignment plan for the Union Pacific Railroad West Line in Elburn, pressures from land use development in Sugar Grove and Pingree Grove, and the significant increases in Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT).

To address these concerns, the legislators urged IDOT to initiate an updated planning study that would identify improvement alternatives along Route 47. They emphasized the importance of starting the process as soon as possible to ensure the safety and mobility of their constituents.

Copies of the letter were also sent to Governor JB Pritzker, the Kane County Division of Transportation, Kane County Board Chairwoman Corinne Pierog, and various other stakeholders in the affected communities.

As of now, IDOT has not responded to the legislators' request for an updated plan. However, the legislators remain committed to addressing the congestion and safety concerns along the Rt. 47 corridor and ensuring the well-being of their constituents.

To find out more, go to this link: https://repkeicher.com/2023/12/07/keicher-fellow-kane-co-legislators-seek-updated-plan-to-address-congestion-safety-concerns-along-rt-47/