Willow Road

Willow Road information from the Sept/Oct 2009 Newsletter:

The Village has been advised that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) intends to begin the preliminary engineering and environmental (Phase I) study of Willow Road through Northfield. Recent media reports of the imminent widening of Willow Road to four and five lanes are not accurate. Rather, IDOT is planning to engage a variety of stakeholders in the evaluation of the ultimate roadway design. The Department will follow the process known as Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS). CSS is an interdisciplinary approach aimed at designing a project that fits into and reflects its surroundings (context). This Phase I study is expected to take approximately two years at a cost of several million dollars with a target completion date of late 2011. This would be followed by Phase II which will take an additional two years. The Village endorses the concept of CSS and is cooperating with IDOT as they engage in this activity. Currently, IDOT is in the process of forming Community Advisory Groups and is seeking input from the Villages in the selection of residents and representatives from various groups including schools, community organizations, park districts, houses of worship, and residents at large. Many will recall that as recently as 2005, IDOT had approved the construction of a less invasive three lane Willow Road configuration which met IDOT's safety and environmental standards (Phase I) as well as engineering specifications (Phase II). This configuration was widely supported by Village residents because it improved traffic mobility and vehicular and pedestrian safety without radically altering the character of our community or compromising the safety of our children. We question why this $6-7 million "shovel ready" project, was not built and why the expenditures of millions of additional tax payer dollars are necessary to again study Willow Road. Furthermore, the future enhancements to Willow Road are now estimated to exceed $25 million. We will impress upon our State leaders the sense of urgency and importance of moving forward with a reasonable solution that will ease congestion, create jobs and keep our community safe. Under the direction of Bob Hayward, the Village's Traffic and Transportation Committee is meeting regularly to advise the Village Board on this important development. We encourage active resident involvement in this process. We will continue to provide regular reports on our engagement with IDOT. Please visit the Willow Road area of our website, www.northfieldil.org, for the latest information and ways to get involved.