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Overview
The Phase I Engineering study affirmed improvements previously identified as part of the Lower Illinois River Regional Crossing Study (LIRRCS). It further developed the detailed engineering and environmental analysis required by federal law, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Community involvement also played a major role in this process and was key to the successful completion of the Phase I (Planning) Study.
Who is on the Project Study Group?
The Project Study Group was led by IDOT in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). WSP was selected as the engineering consultant firm to help IDOT with the development of the Phase I (Planning) Study. They were assisted by four subconsultant firms: Crawford Murphy & Tilly, EFK Moen, Kaskaskia Engineering Group, and TSi Geotechnical and prepared a Design Report and the Environmental Assessment (EA).
What are the steps of the Illinois 100/106 River Crossing Project Study?
The Project Study Group created the environmental document, which followed the federal guidelines stated in NEPA. This enabled the State to become eligible for federal funding to help pay for the final design and construction of the improvements planned by this study.
The NEPA process includes the following steps:
- Establish a project Purpose and Need;
- Identify and evaluate a range of alternatives and include the disclosure of the benefits as well as impacts of each alternative. A "No Build" alternative is also considered as a baseline for evaluation of the other alternatives;
- Identify a preferred alternative;
- Avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts; and
- Consider public input in the decision-making process along each of these steps.
The final Environmental Assessment report was approved by the Federal Highway Administration on July 28, 2020. The report addressed all environmental impacts of the project and included a final Design Report that was the basis of the design process.