Meetings and Events

Information on public meetings and other study-related events will be posted here as they are scheduled.

The Phase I study is located in the municipalities of East Saint Louis, Madison, and Fairmont City, spanning St. Clair and Madison counties. The in-person component of the public hearing occurred at the Clyde C. Jordan Senior Citizens Center in East St. Louis on November 28, 2023. Approximately 30 people attended the meeting.

The purpose of this hearing was to present the Preferred Alternative and associated impacts, including floodplains, and to solicit public input.

The Preferred Alternative encompasses several transportation improvements. These transportation improvements will enhance accessibility for all users, provide travel time reliability, and also eliminate the dependence on indirect local routes and short trips along I-55 and I-70. Furthermore, strengthening connections and accessibility can create opportunities for economic development, benefiting both existing and new businesses. The Preferred Alternative is comprised of:

• the new Illinois Route 3 Connector and shared use path which will link Relocated Illinois Route 3 to a new signalized intersection at Illinois Route 203. The intersection improvement requires the replacement of two bridges over the Cahokia Canal.
• a continuation of Relocated Route 3 will extend from Packers Avenue to the new Illinois Route 3 Connector. The initial construction will feature a two-lane roadway with a shared use path. The design is compatible with a potential future extension of Relocated Illinois Route 3 to the north and is designed to accommodate a future four-lane expansion.
  
  
• full reconstruction of Exchange Avenue from 1st Street to 7th Street, including replacement of storm sewers, curb and gutter, and a new sidewalk on the east side of the roadway. The existing at-grade railroad crossings will be retained.
  
  
• Sidewalks and shared use paths are proposed to be constructed by IDOT, dependent on local agencies acceptance of maintenance.

The in-person hearing was held in an open house format. Throughout the meeting, IDOT and their consultant team members discussed and answered questions. Attendees were able to view display boards which highlighted key components of the study to date, the preferred alternative, and associated impacts. Detailed exhibits were also on display that showed the multimodal improvements by roadway corridor over an aerial map with proposed right-of-way and easements shown. Right-of-way acquisition and relocation assistance information was also available. Attendees received project brochures that included a QR code for the project website. All public hearing materials were available for viewing in English and Spanish. Spanish translation was available at the meeting. This hearing was accessible to persons with disabilities.

During the public hearing, time was set aside to hold a public forum during which attendees had an opportunity to publicly provide testimony regarding the project. A court reporter was at the meeting and recorded verbal statements from members of the public throughout the meeting, as well as during the public forum. The public could also provide written comments using the comment forms provided at the meeting.

All public hearing exhibits and displays are available for viewing and comment during this virtual Public Hearing period using the links below. You are also able to download a copy of the brochure that was provided at the meeting.

Meeting materials are available to download below.

Handouts

• Meeting Brochure (English)
• Meeting Brochure (Spanish)

Exhibits Are Listed in Order

• Welcome
• Project Need
• Project Purpose
• Project Timeline
• Environmental Constraints Map
• Alternatives Carried Forward (PIM3)
• Preferred Alternative Overview
• Preferred Alternative Detailed Overview Exhibit
• Preferred Alternative Traffic and Operations
• Preferred Alternative IL Route 3 Connector Overview
• Preferred Alternative IL Route 3 Connector East Detailed Exhibit
• Preferred Alternative IL Route 3 Connector West Detailed Exhibit
• Preferred Alternative Relocated IL Route 3 Overview
• Preferred Alternative Relocated IL Route 3 Detailed Exhibit
• Preferred Alternative Exchange Avenue Overview
• Preferred Alternative Exchange Avenue Detailed Exhibit
• Preferred Alternative Environmental Impact Summary

The first public meeting for the Illinois Route 3 Connector Project was held April 8, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Clyde C. Jordan Senior Citizen Center.  The purpose of this meeting was to introduce the Illinois Route 3 Connector Project to the public and allow the public to share their opinions, concerns and ideas. The meeting was held in an open house format.  IDOT and their consultant team members discussed the study with meeting attendees and answered questions.  Those in attendance were able to view display boards, maps, and other material that showed current traffic, crash, land use, and environmental data; explained the public involvement and environmental study processes; and asked for additional volunteers for the study’s Community Advisory Group (CAG).  Meeting materials are available for download below.