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Kensil A. Garnett, P.E.
Deputy Director of Highways
Region Three Engineer
Illinois Department of Transportation
401 Main Street
Peoria, Illinois 61602
US 34 Expansion Gulfport to Biggsville
The Illinois Department of Transportation held a virtual public hearing for the proposed expansion of U.S. 34 from two to four lanes from Gulfport to Biggsville from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 17.
The project will begin west of the intersection of Carman Road and U.S. 34 and end at the western end of the Biggsville bypass. Alternatives were evaluated to determine if there is a practicable construction option within the 6 miles of the U.S. 34 alignment in the 100-year floodplain. Construction will elevate the expanded U.S. 34 to the 500-year floodplain elevation due to modifications made to the regulatory floodplain boundaries for the Mississippi River.
Note: IDOT projects typically have three distinct phases. Phase I (or the project Study) consists of developing the project scope, environmental studies and preliminary design of a project. Phase II (Design) consists of refining the design to develop contract plans and land acquisition. Phase III (Construction) consists of the actual construction of the project.
Since 2013, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have been studying a potential roadway alignment for US Route 34 from west of Carman Road to TR 111 west of Biggsville, Illinois in Henderson County. In January of 2003, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) identified the preferred alternative for the proposed US Route 34 project from Carman Road near Gulfport, Illinois to Monmouth, Illinois. A Record of Decision (ROD) was signed on August 18, 2003. When the 2003 ROD was signed, the regulatory Mississippi River 100-year floodplain did not extend onto the landward side of the levee system. Specifically, the only areas mapped as 100-year floodplains on the landward side of the levee system were those associated with local tributaries and ponds. Since the ROD was signed, major changes have occurred in the state requirements regarding construction in floodplains, and the floodplain boundaries crossed by the US Route 34 preferred alternative also changed.
The proposed expressway will need to be elevated to the 500-year floodplain elevation as a result of modifications made to the regulatory floodplain boundaries for the Mississippi River since the ROD was signed. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is required when significant environmental impacts not evaluated in the FEIS may occur due to 1) any change to the proposed action, and 2) new information or circumstances relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts for the Purpose and Need and to document new impacts resulting from the proposed action. Approximately six miles of the US Route 34 alignment selected in the 2003 FEIS and ROD, are now in an area designated as a Special Flood Hazard Area protected by Executive Order 2006-05. Alternatives must be evaluated to determine if there is a practicable construction alternative within six miles of the US Route 34 alignment in the 100-year floodplain.
Schedule
Public Hearing held November 17, 2021
Final Phase I approval anticipated Spring 2022
Additional Schedule details coming soon
Public Hearings
- Public Hearing Slides
- Public Hearing Recording
- US 34 Public Hearing Brochure
- US 34 Preferred Alternatives
Virtual Public Hearing:
Held on November 17, 2021 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Click here to comment
Construction
IDOT is currently at the early stages of Phase I for this project. As we make changes, this website will be updated accordingly.
Contact Us
Please submit your questions or comments on the project via online form, email, or mail.
Online form: US-34 Public Comment Form