Interstate 64 improvement: Green Mount Road to Illinois 158

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is completing the Phase I Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study for the widening of Interstate 64 from west of Green Mount Road to west of Illinois 158,  and improving the Interstate 64 at Green Mount Road interchange (Exit 16).  The total project length is 2.7 miles.  This portion of Interstate 64 passes through the cities of O’Fallon and Shiloh.  Phase II will consist of preparing contract plans and acquiring right-of-way.  The final Phase III of the project will be construction. 

PROJECT LOCATION

The Interstate 64 Improvement project extends from 2/3 miles west of Green Mount Road to a ½ mile west of Illinois 158. The study limits along Interstate 64 are approximately 2.7 miles in length.

BACKGROUND

Interstate 64 was originally constructed in 1975 and consisted of 4 – 12 ft. lanes (2 in each direction east and west).  Due to increasing development and traffic in this area:

• The Interstate 64/ Green Mount Road interchange was constructed in 2000
• Interstate 64 from Illinois 157 to Green Mount Road was widened from 4 lanes to 6 lanes
• In 2014, a new interchange was constructed at Interstate 64 and Reider Road to enhance access into Scott Air Force Base. As part of that improvement, Interstate 64 was widened from four to six lanes from west of Illinois 158 to east of Reider Road

WHY ARE THESE IMPROVEMENTS TO INTERSTATE 64 NEEDED?

• Insufficient Capacity

Development in the area continues, which also increases the traffic in the area. The traffic volumes on Interstate 64 have grown from 42,400 to 59,200 over the past 20 years, an increase of 40 percent.  These volumes are expected to increase to 72,800 by the year 2038, which includes a 14.5 percent truck volume. The current traffic volumes exceed roadway capacity for this four-lane section of Interstate 64 and has also led to delays at the Interstate 64 and Green Mount Road interchange

• Green Mount Road Interchange Delays

The intersections of the Interstate 64 ramps with Green Mount Road cannot support the volume of traffic that goes through them at peak hours as currently designed.  This results in significant backups on the ramps and traffic delays

• Roadway Design Doesn’t Meet Current Standards

This section of Interstate 64 does not meet current freeway standards for vertical clearance under the bridges and shoulder widths 

• Safety

This segment of Interstate 64 has experienced 149 crashes in a 5-year period, that included four fatalities

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THIS PROJECT?

• Improve traffic capacity, operations, and safety on Interstate 64
• Improve mobility at the Interstate 64 and Green Mount Road interchange
• Assure bridge clearance is sufficient for structures that cross over Interstate 64 within the project limits

WHAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE INCLUDED WITH THIS PROJECT?

• Mainline Interstate 64 from west of Green Mount Road to west of Illinois 158
  • Widen Interstate 64 within the existing grass median to accommodate three lanes in each direction with wider shoulders. This proposed widening will be consistent with the existing Interstate 64 roadway configuration east and west of the project 
  • Construct a concrete median barrier between the eastbound and westbound lanes which will prevent crossover crashes
  • Increase the vertical clearances under the Green Mount Road and Lincoln Avenue bridges to accommodate larger trucks
• Interstate 64 at Green Mount Road Interchange
  • Widen the Interstate 64 eastbound exit ramp to provide two left and two right turn lanes at the intersection with Green Mount Road
  • Widen the Interstate 64 westbound exit ramp to provide two left and two right turn lanes at the intersection with Green Mount Road
  • Widen Green Mount Road to provide:
    • A southbound right turn lane at the Interstate 64 on=ramp
    • A northbound right turn lane at the Interstate 64 on-ramp
    • Two southbound left turn lanes, two southbound through lanes, and two southbound right turn lanes at the intersection of Green Mount Crossing and Central Park Drive
  • Note that due to the current condition of the structure, no work will be performed on the structure carrying Green Mount Road over Interstate 64 with this improvement. This structure will be monitored so that future improvements can be made, once warranted

WILL THERE BE RIGHT-OF-WAY IMPACTS WITH THIS PROJECT?

A minor amount of proposed right-of-way and temporary easements will be required for this project.  Proposed right-of-way impacts are anticipated on the north side of Interstate 64 just east of Lincoln Avenue to construct a drainage ditch. 

Temporary easements may also be required during construction for some proposed features, but this property then returns to the property owner once construction is complete.

WILL THERE BE LANE CLOSURES DURING CONSTRUCTION?

While there may be occasional short-term, off-peak temporary lane closures or ramp detours, IDOT’s goal is to keep four lanes of traffic open to the public during all stages of construction. 

WHAT IS THE FUNDING STATUS FOR THIS PROJECT?

This project is included in the Department’s FY 2022-2027 Proposed Highway Improvement Program.

IDOT’S THREE-PHASE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Proposed highway improvements are typically processed in three phases.  In Phase I (preliminary engineering phase), proposed geometry, environmental concerns, and right-of-way requirements are defined.  This phase generally takes an estimated 24 months to complete.  During Phase II, contract plans are prepared, and the necessary right-of-way is acquired.  This phase generally takes an estimated 12-24 months to complete.  Phase III represents the actual construction of the improvement.  This phase generally takes an estimated 18-24 months to complete. This project is currently in Phase I.

ENVIRONMENT

This Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study (Phase I) follows the requirements of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.  NEPA established a national environmental policy intentionally focused on federal activities and the desire for a sustainable environment balanced with other essential needs of present and future generations.

NEPA requires that any federally funded proposed or future action (such as construction of a roadway) be carefully analyzed for all impacts to natural and cultural resources and to the human environment.  This analysis must be documented and made available for public review and comment near the end of the study.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ASSESSED

• Agriculture
• Air Quality
• Aquatic Habitat
• Archaeological Resources
• Cultural Resources
• Floodplains
• Noise
• Parks and Recreation
• Special Waste
• Threatened/ Endangered Species
• Water Quality
• Wetlands

WILL NOISE IMPACTS BE CONSIDERED WITH THIS PROJECT?

Yes.  Because additional lanes are being added to Interstate 64 with this project, a noise study was conducted.  This report shows that there are properties along Interstate 64 that will be impacted by noise due to this improvement.

WILL NOISE WALLS BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG INTERSTATE 64 WITH THIS PROJECT?

The noise study concluded that there are 4 feasible locations along Interstate 64 where noise walls are warranted to reduce noise and considered reasonable and feasible.  These benefited receptors will be contacted during the next phase of engineering (Phase II) so that they can vote on if they favor the construction of a noise wall.  If greater than 50 percent of these votes are in favor of a noise wall, then the noise walls will be included with this improvement.

Upcoming Public Informational Meeting

IDOT anticipates holding a Virtual Public Information Meeting on Nov. 9, 2021 from 6 - 7 p.m. to allow the public to view the improvements on this project and provide comments.  See Virtual Public Meeting registration link above

Submit Your Comments/ Questions

IDOT values your comments and questions.  IDOT will provide responses to all questions and strive to do so in a timely manner.

Please click here to fill out our online comment form, or if you prefer, you may contact us by mail, phone, or e-mail:

Matthew Meyer
Project Studies Engineer
Illinois Department of Transportation
Region 5/ District 8
1102 Eastport Plaza Drive
Collinsville, IL 62234
Phone: (618) 346-3160
matthew.meyer@illinois.gov

Public Involvement

The project is using an intense public involvement program referred to as Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS).  Please read this page as it provides an overview of the public involvement activities to date. 

 Mailing List Sign Up

If you would like to receive information regarding the Interstate 64 improvement project, such as upcoming public meetings or newsletters, please join the mailing list by clicking here.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Information on Public Meetings that have occurred will be posted here to view, including: Public Meeting announcements, Public Meeting press release, Public Meeting Displays, and Public Meeting brochures.

11/09/21 Virtual Public Meeting – The Illinois Department of Transportation held the I-64 Improvement Virtual Public Meeting online on Tuesday November 9, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.  An online presentation was provided.  The Project Study Team was available live to answer questions, take online comments, and provide information about the project.  The public was able to view this Virtual Public Meeting online live on November 9^th, or a recorded version for a period of 2 weeks following the meeting.  Please click on the link below to view the recorded I-64 Improvements Public Meeting presentation.

Please click here to view the Virtual Public Meeting Presentation.

CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS (CSS)

An important part of the Interstate 64 Study is public participation.  IDOT utilizes Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) as a way to continually engage stakeholders in the study.  As identified in IDOT’s CSS policies, stakeholder involvement is critical to a study’s success. The CSS process strives to achieve the following:

• Understand stakeholder’s key issues and concerns
• Involve stakeholders in the decision-making process early and often
• Establish an understanding of the stakeholder’s role in the study
• Consider all modes of transportation
• Set a project schedule
• Apply flexibility in design to address stakeholder’s concerns whenever possible

For more information on IDOT’s CSS process, please visit the following website at:

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-mangement/context-sensitive-solutions/index

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the project limits?

The Interstate 64 Improvement project extend from 2/3 mile west of Green Mount Road to a ½ mile west of Illinois 158. The study limits along Interstate 64 are approximately 2.7 miles in length.

WHY ARE THESE IMPROVEMENTS TO INTERSTATE 64 NEEDED?

Development in the area continues, which also increases the traffic in the area.  The current traffic volumes exceed roadway capacity for this 4-lane portion of Interstate 64 and has also led to delays and congestion along this portion of the Interstate 64 corridor.  Lastly, this section of Interstate 64 doesn’t meet current freeway standards for structure clearance and shoulder widths. 

Resources for the Interstate 64 improvement project can be viewed here.

• Virtual Meeting brochure - November 9, 2021
• Virtual Meeting Slides