Longmeadow Parkway FAQs

The proposed road passes through portions of the villages of Algonquin, Carpentersville and Barrington Hills, as well as unincorporated areas of Kane County. The western end is at Huntley Road west of Randall Road, about 1,300 feet northwest of the Huntley/Boyer intersection. From Huntley Road to the Fox River, the corridor runs through mostly undeveloped properties or new subdivisions that were developed with a dedicated right-of-way to accommodate the corridor. After crossing the river, the corridor parallels existing Bolz Road, to the eastern project end point at Illinois Route 62.

When completed, LMP will address existing and future traffic needs and reduce existing/projected area congestion. It will improve accessibility and mobility in support of economic growth and job creation.

Congestion and travel delay is increasing on the area’s roadway network with negative impacts to local streets and neighborhoods in northern Kane County. There have been no new Fox River Bridges built in upper Fox Valley since the I-90 tollway extension in the 1950s, but there has been a tenfold population increase west of the Fox River since the 1980s.

Northern Kane County is presently a leader in new housing starts for the Chicago region.

Yes. In fact, local municipalities led LMP efforts by adopting comprehensive plans, setting aside land, constructing portions of the corridor, and requesting county assistance. The units of government that have signed resolutions in support of the plan include the villages of Algonquin, Barrington Hills, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Gilberts, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Sleepy Hollow, and West Dundee, along with McHenry and Kane counties.

For many years, LMP has received support of all communities within its corridor, along with neighboring communities, through resolutions, referendums and adopted plans.

The total cost of the project, including construction and construction engineering, is estimated at $115 million. About $30 million already has been invested in engineering and land acquisition.

By comparison, the cost of construction and construction engineering is much less than the cost associated with the Stearns Road Bridge Corridor.

Funding commitments so far include $14.5 million from the federal government, $39.4 million from the state of Illinois, and $61.1 million local Kane County funds. The local funds are comprised of $3.5 million from KDOT’s programmed local impact fees and $20.1 million from KDOT’s programmed Regional Transportation Authority sales tax, with the remaining $37.5 million from bond revenue to be repaid with tolls.

The initial financial plan was approved by the FHWA in September 2015 and will be updated annually.

Years of environmental/engineering studies, updates and approvals by local, state and federal environmental protection agencies have determined the LMP alternative will have the least impact when considering homes, air, noise, water, wetlands and wildlife. Of all the options considered for a bridge crossing, it is the only acceptable alternative for northern Kane County according to the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

In 2004, Kane County prevailed in a federal court lawsuit against the LMP project with the court stating that the FHWA heard all of the objections to the project and considered all of the sensible options before it. The lawsuit resulted in a delay and minimization of federal and state funds as compared to other recently-built bridge corridors.

Yes, more than 5,000 trees will be removed as part of the construction, but about half of the trees being removed are either in poor health, 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 such as the Brunner Family Forest Preserve.

Impacts to wetlands will be mitigated via the county’s ongoing planning approach of “Avoid- Minimize-Mitigate” and the overall result will be improved wetland status. Best management practices such as native vegetation that filters storm water through bio-swales and vegetated detention basins will be used to protect water quality.

Will Wildlife or Endangered Species Be Threatened by Longmeadow Parkway?

Measures continue to be taken by KDOT, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to avoid or minimize impacts to native mussels, Blanding’s turtles, northern long eared bats, bald eagles and smallmouth bass. KDOT will follow all guidelines as specified by the federal and state resource agencies.

Are There Environmental Benefits From a More-Direct Route Across the Fox River?

Yes, noise is a part of any transportation thoroughfare. LMP noise was evaluated in the EIS, which was approved by FHWA in 2002. Plans call for significant landscaping in residential areas along the corridor. An updated noise study is under way and will be published on the KDOT website once it is completed.

Evaluated in the final EIS, the LMP project actually improves area air quality by reducing current/projected traffic congestion and increasing mobility. The project meets federal air quality requirements and received federal funds for congestion mitigation and air quality planned benefits.

Also evaluated in the EIS, LMP uses water-quality best management practices such as native vegetation that filters suspended solids, oil and nutrients. The project includes clay-lined ditches only near shallow groundwater areas and water wells. There will be no stormwater discharged directly to the Fox River without filtering through bio-swales and vegetated detention basins.

Only 3 percent of salt impact occurs as spray. Separation distance, travel volumes and drainage design reduce the potential impacts. County road maintenance staff proactively reduces the use of salt via computerized spreaders and additives.

LMP impacts the fewest homes when considering all other construction alternatives, including the “no build” Option. Algonquin used extra wide rights of way and informed homeowners about LMP prior to purchase of their homes. There will be positive benefits for most residents, because LMP will increase access and reduce existing and projected congestion impacts in many residential areas.

Yes! Berms and significant landscaping will be provided along most of the corridor.

The majority of the corridor, as well as along the Brunner Family Forest Preserve, will not be illuminated. There will be minimal lighting at intersections and ornamental lighting on the Fox River Bridge. Lighting at the open road toll plaza located east of the Fox River will be provided.

SOURCE: KDOT FAQs document