IL Route 3 in Godfrey

Scope of the Project
IL Route 3 will be improved at the intersections with West Delmar Avenue and Pierce Lane. The scope of the project will be determined during the public involvement process and the Phase I study. Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) will be utilized for the public involvement for this project. Please click on the “Public Participation” tab for more information on the CSS process.

Funding Status
This project is included in the Department’s FY 2023-2028 Proposed Highway Improvement Program.

Crash History
These intersections have experienced 90 reported crashes from 2008 to 2014.  A large number of these crashes involved rear end type of crashes – sixty five (65) were reported with 12 crashes resulting in serious injuries.  Traffic delays, driver confusion, and drivers using local streets to avoid these intersections have been observed by the local public.

Project Development Process

Phase I is the preliminary engineering phase. During this phase, public involvement, data collection, and engineering and environmental analyses will be performed on the alternatives developed in order to select a preferred alternate. A project report is developed that documents this process. The land acquisition process will begin toward the end of this phase. This phase is complete.

Phase II is where plans, specifications, and estimates will be prepared so that the project can be placed on a letting for construction by a contractor. The plans will be prepared in accordance with the approved Phase I project report. Negotiation with property owners for the purchase of any needed right of way and easements will occur during this phase. This phase can take approximately 12 to 24 months.

Phase III is the actual construction of the project using the plans developed in Phase II. This phase can take approximately 12 to 36 months, depending on the type of improvement being constructed.

PROJECT UPDATES

February 2, 2021 Design Approval – Please click here to view the approved Project Report.

June 2021 - Phase II began.

December 5, 2022 – Public Meeting

Due to public response to the closure, IDOT and their consultants are investigating staging options. This will extend the duration of construction, but allow more access around the project. 

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) will be utilized for the public involvement for this project

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)
An inclusive, responsive public involvement program is an essential part of this project. The public involvement program is being implemented using the principles of Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS), and follows the policies and procedures for CSS as developed by IDOT. CSS is a collaborative approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that fits into its surroundings and preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic, and environmental resources while maintaining safety and mobility. For more information on CSS please visit: http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/context-sensitive-solutions/index

Community Advisory Group (CAG)
The CAG is an important part of the public involvement process and is made up of CAG members that represent a larger stakeholder group. A stakeholder is anyone or entity that could be affected by the project and has a stake in its outcome. Stakeholders include the public, property owners, business owners, state and local officials, federal and state resource & regulatory agencies, special interest groups, and motorists who utilize the facility. The CAG works with the Project Study Group (PSG) to convey input from the community, provide input on design alternatives, and convey the information shared at the CAG meetings to stakeholders.

Project Study Group (PSG)
The PSG is a group of professionals representing specific technical or scientific disciplines that informs the CAG of the environmental process, transportation planning guidelines, design guidelines, and the relationship between transportation issues (needs) and project alternatives. After CAG and public input, engineering analysis and environmental analysis, the PSG is responsible for making the final decisions for project development. The PSG for this project are made up of IDOT staff, its consultant on this project, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Public Meetings
At the beginning of the project and at various milestones during project development, a public meeting will be held to provide information concerning the project development and to receive public input.

Public Involvement to date:

12/5/22 Public Meeting – The Illinois Department of Transportation held a Public Meeting on Monday, December 5, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL. This meeting was to discuss the construction sequencing which proposed a full closure of both intersections of Homer Adams (IL 3)/W Delmar Avenue and W Delmar Avenue/Pierce Lane for approximately 6-9 months. IDOT representatives were available to answer questions, take comments, and provide information about the project. Informational hand outs were provided, comment forms were provided, and exhibits with information about the construction sequencing were on display to view. A total of 224 people signed in at this Public Meeting. The exhibits below are what was shown at the meeting. However, due to feedback from concerned citizens regarding the temporary closure, IDOT is investigating other options to maintain traffic throughout construction.

• Detour Map
• Frontenac and Norwood Detour map
• Final Project Map
• Handout
• Schedule
• Stage 1 Exhibit
• Stage 2 Exhibit
• Stage 3 Exhibit
• Stage 4 Exhibit 

10/03/18 Public Meeting – The Illinois Department of Transportation held the IL 3 in Godfrey Public Meeting on Wednesday October 3, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL.  This Public Meeting was an open forum meeting.  The Project Study Team was available to answer questions, take comments, and provide information about the project.  Informational hand outs were provided, comment forms were provided, and exhibits with information about this project were on display to view.  A total of 137 people attended this Public Meeting.  Please click on the links below to view the IL 3 in Godfrey Public Meeting Exhibits.

Please click here to view all Display Board Exhibits

Please click here to view the Video Clip of the City of Belleville engineer discussing the roundabout improvement in Belleville, IL.

Please click here to view the Preliminary Proposed Dual Roundabout Design Aerial Animation (looking east).

Please click here to view the Preliminary Proposed Dual Roundabout Design Aerial Animation (looking west).

10/22/14 CAG Meeting #1 – The Illinois Department of Transportation held the first Community Advisory Group (CAG) Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Village of Godfrey Village Hall. Please click here for a summary of the first CAG meeting.

03/30/16 CAG Meeting #2 – The Illinois Department of Transportation held the second Community Advisory Group (CAG) Meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Village of Godfrey Village Hall.

Option Descriptions & Concept Drawings and Traffic Simulations:
All traffic simulations represent 2036 forecasted traffic conditions (20-year design) during the evening rush hour.
All traffic simulations play 4 times real speed (to observe traffic flow patterns in a shorter amount of time).

• • Option #1 – No Build - Please click here (PDF) for the Description & Concept Drawing.
    • Please click here for the Traffic Simulation.
    • Notes: The simulation shows that the existing congestion issues are increased by 2036, as the westbound queuing of vehicles results in traffic backups spilling back from one intersection to the other.
  • Option #2 – Minor Modifications - Please click here (PDF) for the Description & Concept Drawing.
    • Please click here for the Traffic Simulation.
    • Notes: The simulation shows this improvement reduces westbound traffic congestion and results in better traffic flow along West Delmar Avenue compared to Option #1, but does not alleviate all congestion from West Homer Adams Parkway.
  • Option #3 – Signals with Realignment - Please click here (PDF) for the Description & Concept Drawing.
    • Please click here for the Traffic Simulation.
    • Notes: A frontage road intersection at West Delmar Avenue is needed for Norwood Lane and Ridgedale Drive, which causes some delays for left-turning vehicles accessing West Delmar Avenue. The simulation shows this improvement reduces congestion issues present in Option #1.
  • Option #4 – Dual Roundabouts - Please click here (PDF) for the Description & Concept Drawing.
    • Please click here for the Traffic Simulation.
    • Notes: The simulation shows this improvement relieves congestion issues that are present in Option #1.

Please click here (PDF) for a summary of the second CAG meeting.  Please visit the “Updates” tab for links to Option Descriptions & Concept Drawings and Traffic Simulations that were displayed at the second CAG Meeting.

How can I find out about future public involvement activities?
Visit the project website and click on the “Updates” tab for notices

Look for announcements in the local newspaper

Watch for roadway message boards for announcements

Contact Billie Owen at (618) 346-3209 or by e-mail at billie.owen@illinois.gov

Get Involved
If you have any questions about the public involvement for this project, please contact Billie Owen at (618) 346-3209 or by e-mail at billie.owen@illinois.gov

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Did You Know?

• This project involves approximately 0.3 miles of IL Route 3.

• The existing typical section for IL Route 3 within the project limits consists of two 11 ft. wide lanes with 4 ft. paved shoulders. Some sections of IL Route 3 have curb and gutter.

• The posted speed limit on IL Route 3 throughout the project limits varies from 35 to 45 mph.

• The area surrounding the project limits consists of residential and commercial properties as well as several churches.

What improvements will be made?
Roundabouts will be constructed in place of the signalized intersections at IL 3/W Delmar Ave and Pierce Lane; and IL 3/W Delmar Ave and Homer M Adams Pkwy.  Cook Street will be realigned to the north.

Why Roundabouts?
The proximity of these two intersections makes the movement through them difficult and often leads to traffic back-ups.  During the Phase I study, it was determined that the dual roundabouts were the best option here to provide a safer and more efficient way to move the traffic through this area.

Will right of way or easements be required for this improvement?
Right-of-way and easements will be required.  IDOT’s Land Acquisition Section will be contacting the affected property owners during Phase II.

Will bicycle and pedestrian traffic be accommodated?
Yes, there will be a shared use path constructed along the south side of the roundabouts that will connect to existing sidewalk along the north side of the project.  Sidewalk will also be reconstructed along Cook Street.

When will construction begin and how long will it last?
Final plans are still being completed.  Once plans and the land acquisition process is complete, utility relocates will be the next step.  Once those are complete, Cook Street will be reconstructed in two parts to maintain access to the Evangelical United Church of Christ Church and School.  After Cook Street is completed, the double roundabouts can be constructed.  Under full closure, we anticipate this to take a full calendar year.  If the roundabouts are constructed in stages, it could take two to three years to complete.  Depending on plan progress and land acquisition, Utility relocates could start as soon as January 2023.

How do I maneuver through these roundabouts?
Both of these roundabouts will be single lane roundabouts. 

Driving Through a Single-lane Roundabout

1. Approaching the roundabout.
   Slow down before approaching the roundabout. If you see any pedestrians about to cross or crossing the street, let them pass before going through the crosswalk, pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way at a roundabout. Proceed past the crosswalk once it is safe to do so. Make sure you are able to clear the crosswalk, blocking a pedestrian crossing is a traffic violation you can be cited for.
2. Yield to vehicles and cyclists that are already on the roundabout.
   Enter a gap in traffic when you see one. Remember, you must move in a counterclockwise direction.
3. Proceed to the desired exit.
   Don’t try to pass anyone at the roundabout and avoid stopping.
4. Signal your intent to exit the roundabout.
   Use your turn indicators or hand signals if the indicators are malfunctioning. If there are pedestrians crossing the street at a roundabout exit, stop and yield to them before going through.

If you missed your exit, don't panic and keep driving until you make another circle and return to the exit again.

Things You Should Not Do At A Roundabout

• Do not change lanes in a roundabout
• Do not stop at a roundabout if you can avoid it
• Do not drive beside buses or large trucks or pass them
• Do not travel in the outside lane further than allowed as it may create a hazard for the vehicle exiting the roundabout from the inside lane

Right of Way At Roundabouts

The rules that determine the right-of-way at a roundabout are very simple:

• pedestrians crossing the street have the right-of-way, all drivers and cyclists must yield
• traffic already at the roundabout has the right-of-way, yield before entering the intersection
• emergency vehicles entering the roundabout have the right-of-way. Yield to emergency vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights and sounding a siren when entering the roundabout even if you are already on it

Source: https://www.epermittest.com/drivers-education/roundabouts#driving-through-a-single-lane-roundabout

Please click here to view the Preliminary Proposed Dual Roundabout Design Aerial Animation (looking east).

Please click here to view the Preliminary Proposed Dual Roundabout Design Aerial Animation (looking west).

If you have questions or comments about this project or public involvement for this project, please contact Billie Owen at (618) 346-3209 or by e-mail at billie.owen@illinois.gov.