Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Phase I

What is this project?
IDOT studied a variety of transportation improvements over the course of the study that include constructing a connector between Illinois Route 3 and Illinois Route 203, with access to Collinsville Road in St. Clair County to address issues of concern identified by the public and the Community Advisory Group (CAG) including:

• Safety concerns resulting from truck traffic using local roads.

• Lengthy emergency vehicle response times due to excessive delays resulting from at-grade railroad crossings and lack of alternate routes.

• Improved access to area services such as businesses (jobs), shopping, recreation, and social services.

• Safety and delay concerns with at-grade railroad crossings on Illinois Route 3, Exchange Avenue, and Industrial Avenue.

• Accommodating future development in vacant properties north of Illinois Route 3 between Industrial Avenue and Collinsville Road.

Why do a study, why not just move straight into design?

• A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study is required in order to use federal funding to construct roadway improvements.

• IDOT wants to ensure that any improvements meet the needs and concerns of those who rely on the road network.

What is the history of this project?

IDOT is studying transportation needs between Illinois Route 3 and Illinois Route 203 that will improve mobility and connectivity. The project is included in the East-West Gateway Long Range Plan, Connected 2045 Update and IDOT’s FY 2024-2029 Proposed Highway &  Multimodal Improvement Program.

2004—IDOT prepared feasibility study to identify potential constraints and evaluate alternatives.

2005—Illinois Route 3 Connector identified and funded as a High Priority Project by SAFETEA-LU—the previous federal surface transportation bill.

2006— IDOT began Phase 1 Studies (see project timeline next page) to build on work started during the Feasibility Study.

2006—Community Advisory Group (CAG) for the project formed to obtain information about the transportation needs in the study area.

2006-2007—CAG Meetings held to brainstorm key transportation issues and concerns and develop Problem Statement.

2008—IDOT and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) begin construction of the New Mississippi River Bridge. IDOT decided that it would be to the benefit of the study and potential transportation improvements in the project area to see how the new Mississippi River Bridge and I-70 freeway connection affect the movement of traffic within and through the project area. 

2014—New Mississippi River Bridge Project is complete and as a result, the Illinois Route 3 Connector Project Phase I Location Study is reinitiated.

2014—IDOT holds Public Information Meeting (PIM) #1 to share project update and solicit additional CAG members.

2014—IDOT holds CAG meeting to present Conceptual Alternatives.

2014—IDOT holds PIM #2.

2015—IDOT holds CAG meeting to present the four alternatives being carried forward for further study.

2015—IDOT holds PIM #3.

2016—IDOT holds CAG meeting to provide an update on the progress the project team had made and to solicit CAG input on revisions made to some of the alternatives carried forward. 

2022—The decision was made that the environmental document for the project would be downgraded from an Environmental Assessment (EA) to a Categorical Exclusion (CE) because none of the impacts constituted a significant impact under NEPA and all the impacts would be mitigated.

2023 –IDOT to hold Public Hearing and complete Phase I Study. 

What happens at the end of the study?

The Location and Environment Study will conclude upon the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) approval of the Preferred Alternative and the completion of the Project Design Report. Following FHWA and IDOT’s design approval, the project can move to Phase II, final engineering, and land acquisition.

When will construction begin?

The timeframe for construction has not been established. Prior to construction, Phase II final preparation of contract plans/specifications and land acquisition must be completed. 

Phase III, or Construction, depends on budget availability, right-of-way, and project readiness. 

What kind of road will this be?

The Preferred Alternative is comprised of transportation improvements along four separate arterial roadways. These include new construction of the Illinois Route 3 Connector (Relocated Illinois Route 3 to Illinois Route 203), new construction of a portion of Relocated Illinois Route 3 (Packers Avenue/Fairmont City Boulevard to the Illinois Route 3 Connector), replacement of the Illinois Route 203 bridges over the Cahokia Canal, and a new signalized intersection between the Illinois Route 3 Connector and Illinois Route 203. Additionally, Exchange Avenue will be reconstructed from 1st Street to 7th Street. 

How many lanes will the road have?

Both the new Illinois Route 3 Connector and the new Relocated Illinois Route 3 will be two-lane roadways. Improvements on Exchange Avenue will maintain the existing two-lane roadway. The design along Relocated Illinois Route 3 is compatible with a potential future extension to the north and is designed to accommodate a future four-lane expansion.

How will this project affect or improve traffic congestion and safety?

The proposed improvements will improve mobility and reduce short interstate trips by connecting Illinois Route 203 to I-70.

How much property will IDOT purchase? Will it affect any homes or businesses?

No residences or commercial buildings will be impacted by this project. If you believe your property will be impacted by the proposed improvements, we encourage you to attend the Public Hearing on November 28, 2023.

What will be done to minimize environmental impacts?

The Preferred Alternative was developed to avoid to the extent feasible environmental resources in the study area. Where it was not feasible to completely avoid an environmental resource, such as a wetland, the design team has designed the roadway and roadside to impact the absolute minimum necessary to accomplish the project efficiently. If an environmental impact cannot be avoided, it will be mitigated. 

Does the public get a chance to comment on the alternatives being developed or which alternatives are selected for moving forward? If so, how?

The public has been given several opportunities to comment on the alternatives developed by the study team and to provide their opinion on the alternative(s) that were carried forward for further study. To date there have been three open house public information meetings. Comment received as part of these input opportunities have become part of the public record.  The public comment period for the public hearing is currently open. We encourage you to provide input on the preferred alternative. The comment period will extend through December 12, 2023. Any comments received before that date will be considered by IDOT in the project design and become part of the public record.

OPEN HOUSE HEARING: NO FORMAL PRESENTATION

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center

6755 State Street, East St Louis, Illinois 62203

Why does the study take so long?

In order to be eligible for federal funding, IDOT is required to follow the NEPA process. NEPA is a federal act that requires agencies to select the alternative that meets the project’s purpose and has the least impacts to the natural and human environments.

Is the project funded?

At this time, IDOT has funding for the next stage of design, final engineering (Phase II Engineering) and pre-construction activities.

Phase III, or Construction, depends on budget availability, right-of-way, and project readiness. $80 million has been identified for construction of the Illinois Route 3 Connector and associated improvements as shown in IDOT’s FY 2024-2029 Proposed Highway & Multimodal Improvement Program.

What types of improvements are being considered?

A full range of alternatives were considered during the study. These included new roadway(s), the use of transit, and transportation system management opportunities. The No-Build (no improvements other than continued routine maintenance) was also considered.

The preferred alternative, which is a combination of new and improved roads, sidewalks, and shared use-paths will be available to the public and IDOT representatives will be available to answer questions. 

The proposed improvements consist of: 

• construction of a new roadway to be named the Illinois Route 3 Connector from Relocated Illinois Route 3 to Illinois Route 203

• construction of a portion of new Relocated Illinois Route 3 from Packers Avenue/Fairmont City Boulevard to the new Illinois Route 3 Connector

• reconstruction of Exchange Avenue from 1st Street to 7th Street

Will IDOT really build Full Build I-70 and/or Relocated Illinois Route 3?

As part of this Phase I Study, we considered both of these future improvements in our alternative development and evaluation process. The preferred alternative includes a segment of Relocated Illinois Route that extends from the Packers Avenue/Fairmont City Boulevard intersection to the proposed intersection with the new Illinois Route 3 Connector. 

How can I get involved in the project?

A Public Hearing is currently being held. An in-person meeting was held on November 28, 2023. A virtual Public Hearing is currently being held online through this website. Materials are available for review online and the comment period is open. You are encouraged to provide your comments on the preferred alternative. All comments received before December 12, 2023 will be part of the project record.

More information can be found here.

Who can I contact to provide my comments?

There are numerous ways to provide comments on the project:

Attend the upcoming Public Hearing and provide comments at the hearing or submit by mail or email. More information can be found here.

You can also leave a comment on the project website at http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/IL-3-Connector-Project

Click here to fill out our online comment form.

The project manager is Annie Prothro. Her contact information is Phone: 618-346-3161, email: annie.prothro@illinois.gov

Will there be other public meetings?

The Phase I Study is nearing completion. Concluding outreach for the Phase I study includes a Public Hearing in an open house format which was held on November 28, 2023. A virtual Public Hearing is ongoing now. The materials are available for viewing online and the comment period is open until December 12, 2023. Click here for more details on the Public Hearing. 

What will happen to my property values?

Property values are affected by a number of market factors. In general, an improved roadway facility can have a positive impact on property, however, it is impossible at this phase of the project for anyone to predict the impact to a specific property.

What will happen to my property taxes?

Property taxes are assessed by the County Assessor’s office. IDOT does not control or have any influence on property taxes.

When is the earliest IDOT can begin acquiring right of way?

Right-of-way acquisition can begin after design approval is received for this Phase I Study. The study is expected to be completed in 2023. 

Will IDOT be using Eminent Domain to take property?

It is probable that right of way could be required for this project. If right of way is required, IDOT will appraise the required parcels and try to negotiate a settlement with property owners. If an agreement cannot be reached with property owners, IDOT has the authority to use eminent domain for public projects. Eminent domain is a process which allows IDOT to acquire the needed property for the improvement and the court system ensures that property owners receive fair compensation for their property. 

IDOT has multiple brochures available online that guide a landowner through the land acquisition process and provide answers to frequently asked questions. IDOT representatives will also be available at the Public Hearing. Click here for more details on the Public Hearing.

What’s Next?

The project has three phases of the study. IDOT is nearing the completion of the Phase I Study (see project timeline). The remaining steps will be to compile comments from this Public Hearing and complete design studies and reports.

Upon completion of the engineering design and Project Design Report, the project will be eligible to move forward to Phase II, which includes the final engineering design and land acquisition. Phase II is scheduled to begin in 2024. Phase III, or Construction, depends on budget availability, right-of-way, and project readiness. 

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

All contact information is kept private, is for the sole use of the Illinois Route 3 Connector Project and will not be distributed to any entity outside of IDOT.

Please click here to fill out our online comment form, or if you prefer, you may contact us by U.S. mail, phone, or fax:

Annie Prothro, P.E.

Project Manager

Illinois Department of Transportation

Region 5/District 8

1102 Eastport Plaza Drive

Collinsville, IL 62234

Phone: 618-346-3161

Fax: 618-346-3202

annie.prothro@illinois.gov