The Illinois Department of Transportation is conducting a preliminary engineering and environmental study for potential improvements to Illinois 127 from the intersection of Illinois 127 and Illinois 15 north to the westbound Interstate 64 ramps in Washington County. The project covers approximately 3 miles of Illinois 127 and 1 mile of various side roads.

This section of Illinois 127 serves as primary north-south corridor connecting the communities of Pinkneyville and New Minden, Nashville. IDOT initiated this study due to increasing traffic volumes and ongoing development in the area. While most of the corridor falls within the Low to Medium safety Tier, the segment from Enterprise Avenue to Mockingbird Drive is considered Critical.

The study will evaluate roadway needs and may include widening the road, adding bi-directional lanes, and assessing pedestrian accommodations along the route. The existing cross-section of Illinois 127 roadway varies: it consists of two lanes with shoulders and open ditches, transitioning to shoulders with curb and gutter closer to towns. Turn lanes and sidewalks are present at intermittent locations.

The study area includes industrial, commercial, and agricultural land, as well as some residential areas near towns.

**Phases 1, II, and III are currently funded and included in the Department’s FY2026-2031 Proposed Highway Improvement Program.

IDOT follows three-phase process for highway projects:

Phase I: Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies

During this phase, IDOT studies a range of alternatives, including a “no build” option, to address the Purpose and Need of the project. Environmental analysis are conducted to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The project team collects information, determines roadway needs, analyzes alternatives, and identifies potential effects on resources. Learn more about NEPA.

Phase II: Design

IDOT refines the project design to develop contract plans. Any additional right-of-way required for the project is acquired during this phase.

Phase III: Construction

This phase involves the actual construction of the project.

The IL Route 127 study is currently in Phase I. During this phase, preliminary engineering and environmental studies are completed to develop a roadway improvement plan that addresses an established Purpose and Need for the project. A Project Report will be developed, and land acquisition will begin at the end of this Phase I Study.

The Phase I study involves four primary components: Data Collection, Developing the Purpose and Need of Project, Developing & Evaluating Alternatives, and Determine a Preferred Alternative.

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)

A key planning tool for this study will be a stakeholder involvement program based upon the principles of Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS). CSS is an interdisciplinary approach that seeks effective, multimodal transportation solutions by working with stakeholders to develop, build and maintain cost-effective transportation facilities which fit into and reflect the project’s surroundings (its “context”).

Through early, frequent, and meaningful communication with stakeholders and a flexible, creative approach to design, the resulting project should improve safety and mobility for the traveling public while seeking to preserve and enhance the scenic, economic, historic, and natural qualities of the settings through which they pass. CSS stakeholder activities will include meetings with special interest groups, and public meetings. All input will be evaluated by the Project Study Group and used to help shape viable solutions.

The CSS project approach enhances public participation in the transportation planning process. CSS will be utilized for the public involvement for this project.

Project Study Group (PSG)

An essential component of IDOT’s CSS procedures is the Project Study Group (PSG). The PSG is formed from the representative members involved in the strategy and execution of the project. The PSG is the decision maker on project design decisions. For the IL Route 127 from IL Route 15 to the I-64 WB Ramps Phase I, the PSG is comprised of members from IDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Volkert, Inc., Added Dimensions, LLC., EFK Moen, LLC., Horner & Shifrin, Inc., Lin Engineering, Ltd., Millennia Professional Services, Ltd., and Stanley Consultants, Inc.

Alternative Development Process

The Alternative Development Process is a multi-step process of developing, improving, screening, and eliminating alternatives until a preferred alternative is selected. Throughout this process IDOT utilizes CSS to keep the community engaged in the project, which helps to ensure the preferred alternative fits the needs of the community.

The process begins by screening alternatives to make sure they meet the Purpose and Need of the project and do not have fatal flaws. Although this project will likely have minimal alignment alternatives, the Phase I Study will evaluate numerous median alternatives (flush, depressed, raised, etc.) throughout the corridor.

Following this screening, the Alternatives Carried Forward are evaluated in greater detail.

Then the alternatives and their associated impacts are further refined and subsequently screened until a preferred alternative is selected.