KDOT Holds Feb. 9 Public Meeting to Introduce Dauberman Road Extension Project
The Kane County Division of Transportation will host a public meeting to introduce the Dauberman Road Extension project, describe the current planning process, review the existing conditions and gather input and information from the public.
The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Hinckley-Big Rock Middle School.
To learn more about the project, visit this page of the KDOT website or click on the following links:
Project Overview
Dauberman Road in Big Rock is undergoing Phase I engineering for the proposed extension from U.S. Route 30 south to Granart Road.
The purpose of the roadway extension is to provide a grade-separated crossing that aims to improve safety, access and system continuity.
The proposed Dauberman Road Extension will cross the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. One of the key components is to determine if the roadway should cross the BNSF Railroad above-grade or below-grade, as well as the potential impacts at nearby intersections.
Grade Separation
The engineering study will determine if there are existing deficiencies and what impacts the roadway extension could have on the movement of vehicles.
The nearest grade-separated crossing of the BNSF Railroad is IL Route 47 to the east. Crossings just east and west of Dauberman Road at Dugan Road and Rhodes Street, respectively, are at-grade.
Between 25 and 32 trains per day pass along the BNSF line based on actual train counts and information provided by the Illinois Commerce Commission Based on the train counts conducted over a 24-hour period, more than 50 percent of the trains were stopped for two or more minutes at the Dugan Road tracks. The data also indicated that more than one-third of the trains occurred during the critical morning and evening commuter peak periods when traffic volumes are at their highest.
Recent improvements were completed in August 2015 to the Dugan Road / Granart Road intersection by Sugar Grove, which included a round-about. Capacity improvements were also completed by IDOT at the U.S. Route 30 / Dugan Road intersection. Determining the study area deficiencies will be a vital component in identifying the Project Purpose and Need.
Planning Process
The engineering study is the first stage of the project development process.
Data collection is nearly complete including traffic counts, crash data, field surveys, and some environmental field studies.
The planning process, which is outlined in the graphic above, is based on guidelines recommended by the Federal Highway Administration, which follows the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA is a United States environmental law that promotes the enhancement of the environment and established the President’s Council on Environmental Quality.
The planning process includes detailed studies and project coordination to develop a preferred plan that meets the project Purpose and Need. An Environmental Assessment will eventually be prepared.
There are four components in the NEPA process which include Data Collection, Purpose and Need, Alternatives Development, and Preferred Alternative. The Data Collection phase is almost complete and then the Project Purpose and Need will be determined.
How to Stay Involved
KDOT is soliciting input from the public on any local concerns that the project should address.
Comments and questions are welcome at any time, but must be received by the county on or before the close of business on Feb. 23, 2017, to be part of the project record. Written comments and questions can be mailed to the Kane County Division of Transportation with attention to Bonnie Flock, the Kane County Project Manager, or emailed to kdotcomments@co.kane.il.us.
SOURCE: Kane County Division of Transportation website
