183rd Street Improvements

183rd Street Improvements: LaGrange Rd. (IL Route 45) to 80th Avenue

Questions/Concerns from the August 20, 2003, Informational Meeting

1. The staking for the road is much further than initially stated. It was first stated that approximately 2 of a lane would be on the south side of the street and 1.5 lanes on the other side of the street. In fact, on March 23, 2003 Chris Snyder stated that it would only move the lanes 12-18 feet closer to homes. Currently, the stakes on the south side are 25 feet off the edge of the roadway, a 38% increase over initial statements. Why?

Answer: The right-of-way for 183rd Street is 100ft wide. The existing street as it is constructed today is not centered within the right-of-way. In front of Tinley Gardens, 183rd Street has approximately 2 of a lane on the south side of the center of the right-of-way and 1-1/2 lanes on the north side. The proposed road will be centered within the 100ft right-of-way because of the need for adequate space to construct sidewalks and provide a safe slope of the parkway from the sidewalk to the street. Currently, the average distance from the centerline of the right-of-way to the edge of pavement on the south side of the street in front of Tinley Gardens is approximately 7ft. The proposed geometrics have the edge of pavement 32ft from the centerline of the right-of-way. This includes 2-12ft lanes and half of the 16ft median, thus making the stakes 25ft from the edge of the existing pavement. The geometrics were not determined until after the June 4, 2003 meeting, therefore, discussions of this subject prior to this meeting only included approximations about the proposed roadway.

2. Specifically, which agency or agencies are sponsoring the funding for this project? Federal agency? State agency? Local agency?

Answer: This question was previously answered as Question #3 in the questions identified on June 4th. State of Illinois 50% Cook County Highway Department 25% Federal Government 25%

The Federal portion of the project is being funded through the National Surface Transportation Program which is directed and identified through the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association. The State funds are provided through IDOT and is sponsored by the Illinois First Program.

3. Since this funding has already been secured, what is the appropriations number for it? Federal agency number? State agency number? Local agency number?

Answer: There are no appropriation numbers assigned from the agencies listed in the answer to the previous question for this project at this time.

4. Have there been any grants applied for at the federal, state or local level for this project?

Answer: The funding through the above-mentioned programs will include all costs associated with this project. The Village has contacted State Representatives to inquire as to the feasibility of obtaining grants for sound proofing measures.

5. What is the real benefit to making the road at least 4 lanes wide?

Answer: The improvement of 183rd Street and its connection to LaGrange Road and 80th Avenue has been a part of the Village=s Comprehensive Plan since the late 1960's. The Village of Tinley Park and adjacent communities are cooperatively working to improve the 183rd Street Corridor, including transportation, from Wolf Road east to Halsted Street to provide east-west mobility. Increasing the road from 2 lanes to 5 lanes (4 through lanes plus a median/turn lane) will alleviate the congestion that the future traffic will pose on 183rd Street. 183rd Street is classified as a collector/minor arterial street. This means that the road will carry vehicles connecting residential areas or local roads (92nd Avenue and Cottonwood Drive) to major arterials (LaGrange Road and Harlem Avenue). Constructing 183rd Street as a 5-lane road will allow for vehicles to travel safely to and from their destinations, while minimizing congestion. Minimizing congestion on 183rd Street will lower the amount of pollution emitted and also provide safer access to and from the driveways that front up to the road.

6. Can the Village of Tinley Park assume jurisdiction of 183rd Street and restrict truck traffic?

Answer: The Cook County Highway Department currently has jurisdiction of 183rd Street from 94th to 84th. Upon completion of the project, the County will assume jurisdiction of 183rd Street all the way from LaGrange Road to 80th Avenue, which is a logical extension of their jurisdictional limits east of 80th Avenue. The Village believes that the jurisdiction of 183rd Street is appropriate as County. The Village can not impose truck restrictions on a roadway under another agency's jurisdiction. The Village does remain committed to enforcement of weight limits as well as working with area businesses on routing of trucks.

7. Why can't this whole expansion be averted by putting a frontage road along I-80 that would not connect the industrial area to the residential area?

Answer: The reconstruction of 183rd Street is being done to accommodate both the current and future traffic that will be on 183rd Street caused by the future growth in Tinley Park and the surrounding communities. A frontage road along I-80 is not possible as properties along I-80 are already developed and there is insufficient right-of-way for construction of a frontage road.

8. Why weren't accommodations made to allow for the inclusion of this roadway before the entire north side of the street was rezoned to become residential? Why weren't additional rights of way included to promote residential safety?

Answer: Accommodations were made for this roadway in the 1960's when the 100ft right-of-way was established. By establishing this 100ft right-of-way, adequate space for expansion is available without the need for acquiring additional land after the adjacent properties were developed. The subdivisions along 183rd Street were developed based on the already established 100ft right-of-way. A 100ft right-of-way is the recognized width required for this roadway section and is consistent with 80th Avenue, 171st Street and Harlem Avenue, all of which have a 100ft width.

9. Have there been any noise studies and pollution studies? By whom? Contact numbers?

Answer: A company named Planning Resources has been contracted with to perform a noise study. Their scope will also include taking noise measurements on other area roadways such as 159th Street, 80th Avenue, 171st Street and 167th Street. Their study of the 183rd Street corridor will include field measurements of existing noise levels, determination of predicted noise levels with and without improvements and assessment of reasonable and feasible noise mitigation measures, if applicable. The Village will invite a representative from Planning Resources to attend a committee meeting and explain how sound waves travel. This may help to address some concerns regarding noise levels after the proposed improvements are completed.

10. Who is the contact from Metra for this project? Will they be included in these meetings?

Answer: The contact for Metra is Lynne Corrao, who works in the Community Affairs Division of Metra. The Village is working with Mrs. Corrao and Metra staff on the issues involving the at-grade crossing. At this time, the Village does not plan on having Metra involved in the meetings to discuss the widening of 183rd Street.