FAQ

How are sidewalks, pedestrians, the bike trail, and connections to the MCT Park and Ride facility along the US Route 40 corridor going to be addressed?

• Without having a preferred design, it is hard to say what the impact on the surrounding properties will be. However, the intent is to minimize impacts to locations like the MCT Park and Ride. This will remain where it is currently located. However, the entrances will be evaluated for potential improvements.
• The demand for bicycle and pedestrian accommodation will be evaluated within the study limits to determine if additional accommodations will be needed as part of the study process. Any existing sidewalks and bike trails that are impacted will be replaced. This study will take into consideration any planned expansions of the existing bike trail. IDOT will coordinate with Madison County Transit, Troy, and Jarvis Township regarding any future expansion.

Will IDOT extend the Project Study Limits?

• After further review, IDOT has extended the project limits to the east to include IL Route 162 and Schlaefer Road.

Are you going to be widening and/or adding lane(s) (Including Turn Lane(s)?

• This study is in its early stages, and the exact improvements have yet to be determined. Comments that were collected will assist in determining goals and potential improvements in the next step of the project.

What about the current congestion and areas of high traffic volumes?

• The stretch of US Route 40 from Formosa Road to IL Route 162 currently carries a significant amount of traffic that will potentially increase as new developments are constructed along the corridor and its intersecting roadways. As part of this study, the corridor will be evaluated for future growth to best address improvements needed to enhance the safety and mobility of the traveling public. This could include adding additional through lanes to the corridor to improve the congestion, or in some areas, adding left or right turn lanes, or improving the shoulders may also reduce congestion.

Are you adding more signage and traffic signals?

• The need for additional traffic control devices, such as new traffic signals, or improvements/revised timing to existing traffic signals will be analyzed during the next steps of the study.

What is the Project Timeline, Schedule, and Budget?

• The US Route 40 from Formosa Road to IL Route 162 Study is currently at the beginning of Preliminary Engineering Study. During this phase, IDOT will study a broad range of solutions that address the project’s purpose and need, to improve US Route 40 within the study limits. It is anticipated that the preliminary engineering study will take 24- 48 months to complete. Once the preliminary engineering study is complete, construction documents will be prepared, which is anticipated to take an additional 18 to 36 months. Since we do not know what the proposed improvements will be, an exact timeframe for construction is hard to determine.
• Funding for the Preliminary Engineering Study was identified in and funded by the Department’s 2021 Annual Program. Future phases of engineering and construction are currently identified in the Department’s FY2024-2029 Proposed Highway & Multimodal Program. The funding amount is based on the original study limits and may be adjusted on the new proposed project limits.

Can you reduce the speed limit?

• Speed limits are typically determined by speed studies and are governed by state statutes. The posted speed limits may be evaluated as part of this study.

How are Land Acquisition & Right-of-Way (ROW) going to be handled?

• The study is still in the early stages of the preliminary engineering study, and the exact improvements have yet to be determined. Likewise, any potential ROW that is needed for the proposed improvements has not yet been determined. The existing ROW along US Route 40 is wide, so any potential ROW that may be needed is anticipated to be minor amounts, but that will be refined as the study moves forward.

What about access to businesses/schools during the project & after completion?

• Maintenance of traffic during construction is a major component of the study and minimizing delays due to construction is a goal for the project. It is anticipated that project goals will include providing better mobility and safer travel along the corridor and its intersections when construction is completed.

What about drainage along the project limits?

• A Location Drainage Study will be performed as part of the study to determine the existing drainage conditions and what, if any, drainage improvements along US Route 40 are needed within the project limits and ROW. If there is a concern regarding a specific property within or near the project limits, please identify the property and the problems it has experienced in the past. Existing drainage concerns outside of the state ROW should be addressed by the property owner or local agency with jurisdiction.

What if we are opposed to widening?

• IDOT will study a broad range of solutions that address the project’s purpose and need, including a “No-Build” (do nothing) alternative, to improve US Route 40 within the study limits. Public input on the proposed improvements will be considered by IDOT on how best to address the project’s purpose and need.

How will this affect local taxes?

• Taxes are determined by the county of jurisdiction through the assessment process. IDOT does not have any authority to provide any input on the adjustment of taxes due to construction of a highway improvement.

How will streetlights and visibility within the corridor be affected?

• The lighting needs of the corridor may be evaluated as part of this study, as a corridor or spot locations. Potential lighting improvements may require an agreement and cost share between IDOT and the City of Troy, Jarvis Township, or Madison County.

How would improvements to US Route 40 impact congestion on the corridor?

• Depending upon the traffic volumes and the speed, there are different improvements that could potentially improve congestion and mobility. One improvement would be adding turn lanes in select locations or as two-way left-turn lanes. These turn lanes would provide safe places for turning vehicles to wait which would allow through traffic to proceed down the corridor and therefore potentially reduce the amount of congestion.
• Another improvement may be additional through lanes and while this improvement may not be appropriate throughout the whole corridor, it would allow vehicles to travel at slightly different speeds which would create larger or more frequent gaps for turning vehicles.
• Additional traffic signals are potential improvements; however, these would only be recommended if signal warrants are met. Intersections with existing traffic signals will be evaluated to see what changes can be made for the signal timings to better maintain mobility