KDOT: 10 Myths Vs. Facts on Longmeadow Parkway
Any time there’s a major transportation project in a community, there’s going to be information that’s posted online or talked about at public forums that’s out of date, unsubstantiated or just plain false. That scenario is taking place with the 5.6-mile, $115 million Longmeadow Parkway and Fox River bridge project, whose first construction phase started last month in the far-north part of Kane County.
To make sure citizens have access to historical data as well as the most up-to-date information, the Kane County Division of Transportation has a Longmeadow Parkway page on its website, which contains more than three dozen documents about the project, maps and video that shows what the project will look like when completed.
Most recently added were a Longmeadow Parkway FAQ document and a “10 Myths Vs. Facts” document that make it a little easier for residents to read and understand the project. Below is information from that “10 Myths Vs. Fact” document, which includes statements made on the Internet or in print as well as the most-recent information available from KDOT.
Myth: ‘$3 Round-Trip Tolls’
Fact: All of the 5.6-mile corridor will be free to the public, with the exception of only the Fox River bridge. The best estimate of the cost of the bridge toll is 75 cents for passenger vehicles, with truck tolls being higher. The toll for passenger vehicles could be less than that, depending on the final local, state or federal funding provided to the project. The toll will end when the bridge debt is paid off.
Myth: ‘Drivers Won’t Use It”
Fact: Based upon a projected 75-cent bridge toll for passenger vehicles, KDOT engineers estimate that about 14,000 to 16,000 vehicles per day will use Longmeadow Parkway to cross over the Fox River. The free public access roadway of Longmeadow will have slightly higher traffic volumes, because some local traffic will not need to cross the Fox River.
KDOT engineers project that nearly all traffic will be passenger vehicles, because truck toll rates for the Longmeadow Parkway bridge over the Fox River will be as much as six times the toll rate of a passenger vehicle. Most trucks will continue to use the IL Route 62 bridge, which has no truck toll. Additionally, the two southerly bridges, Main Street and IL Route 72, have very low existing heavy-truck volumes, ranging from 0.3 percent to 0.6 percent.
Myth: ‘Don’t Need It — No Growth in This Area’
Fact: In 2014, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning updated 2040 population growth projections that show an additional 146,000 people in Dundee, Rutland, Grafton and Algonquin townships by the year 2040. While development has slowed, northern Kane County continues to be a leader in new home starts and population growth. The roadway also addresses existing and projected traffic impacts to the IL Route 62, IL Route 72 and the Huntley Road/Main Street bridge corridors.
Myth: ‘Forever Damages Brunner Forest Preserve’
Fact: The Brunner Family Forest Preserve would not exist today if not for the planning process and project funding for the Longmeadow Parkway. The property was planned for development, but KDOT and the Kane County Forest Preserve District worked together to set aside both the forest preserve open space and county right of way for Longmeadow Parkway. The joint cooperation and funding helped make the Brunner Family Forest Preserve a reality.
As most of Brunner Family Forest Preserve is presently farm field, Longmeadow Parkway landscaping efforts will assist the forest preserve with environmental enhancements by planting thousands of new native trees.
Myth: ‘Won’t Help Traffic Congestion Anywhere’
Fact: Longmeadow Parkway is needed to reduce traffic congestion now and in the future. A more-direct route across the river reduces the number of miles traveled, while decreased congestion provides safety and environmental benefits. Models for alternative corridors — including a “no build” scenario — showed more environmental impacts and required more vehicles to use existing streets through residential neighborhoods.
Myth: ‘Drops Nearby Home Values Up to 20 Percent’
Fact: Longmeadow Parkway impacts the fewest homes when considering all other construction alternatives, including the “no build” option. Existing and projected traffic growth and congestion already are impacting existing residential neighborhoods and are anticipated to worsen.
Algonquin used extra-wide rights of way, and property owners were informed about Longmeadow Parkway prior to the purchase of homes. Each homeowner also signed a document agreeing to inform any subsequent purchaser that his or her home is adjacent to the future roadway widening.
For most residents, there will be positive benefits to home values, because Longmeadow Parkway will increase access and reduce existing and projected congestion impacts in many residential areas.
Myth: ‘Over 5,000 Mature Trees To Be Cut Down’
Fact: It is true that 5,000 trees will be removed, but about half of those trees are in poor health and/or have poor structure or are dead. For every tree removed, two high-quality native trees will be planted, resulting in more than 10,000 new trees to be planted along the corridor and in open space areas, including the Brunner Family Forest Preserve, which is presently mostly farm fields.
Myth: ‘Will Raise Your Taxes’
Fact: Longmeadow Parkway will not raise your taxes. The project will be funded with existing transportation tax revenues with funding commitments so far including $14.5 million in federal transportation funds, $39.4 million in state transportation funds, and $61.1 million in local transportation funds. The local funds are comprised of $3.5 million from development road impact fees and $22.6 million from KDOT’s programmed transportation sales tax, with the remaining $35 million from existing fund sources or from the future bond revenue to be repaid with tolls.
The initial financial plan was approved by the FHWA in September 2015 and will be updated annually.
Myth: ‘Wastes More Than $100,000,000 — Your Taxes’
Fact: Longmeadow Parkway is the most cost-effective use of transportation funds, as environmental studies, engineering, and land acquisition are nearly complete and represent a significant public investment.
Local, state and federal environmental protection and regulatory agencies have determined the Longmeadow Parkway alternative to have the least impact when considering homes, air, noise, water, wetlands and wildlife and is the only acceptable bridge crossing in the approved Final Environmental Impact Statement for northern Kane County. The other alternatives will also require significantly more local investment with the loss of the federal and state funds specifically programmed for Longmeadow Parkway.
Myth: LPW Funds Could ‘Fix Existing Roads’
Fact: KDOT has one of the most successful and progressive road and bridge maintenance programs in Illinois. Part of KDOT’s responsibility is to ensure quality transportation today and for future generations. Longmeadow Parkway is a key part of that future; a rare chance to provide an additional river crossing and provide much-needed infrastructure to the northern part of Kane County. Funding from the state and federal government earmarked for the LMP project cannot simply be transferred to other Kane County road projects.
SOURCE: KDOT news release and website post
