Overview and Scope

IDOT is nearing completion of this Phase I Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study. The project is located within East St. Louis, Madison, and Fairmont City in St. Clair and Madison Counties, Illinois. The roadway limits for the Preferred Alternative are displayed in the graphic below.

The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and network connectivity within the study limits by improving accessibility within the study area and between arterial routes, eliminating the reliance on circuitous local roads and short trips on I-55/70, and improving travel time consistency.

Improving connections within the study area to residential and business centers south and east towards Collinsville Road and to the greater St. Louis metropolitan area may also enhance economic development opportunities for existing and new businesses, as well as improve safety.

After careful consideration, IDOT selected the Preferred Alternative because it best met the Project’s Purpose and Need, has the least environmental impact, is more favorable in terms of construction and maintenance costs, and was preferred by stakeholders. The Illinois Route 3 Connector and adjoining transportation improvements include the following:

New Illinois Route 3 Connector
Comprised of a two-lane road and a shared-use path*, the Illinois Route 3 Connector will extend eastward from Relocated Illinois Route 3, bridge over the existing railroads and the Lansdowne Ditch, and terminate at a new signalized intersection with Illinois Route 203. These enhancements include replacement of two structures along Illinois Route 203 over the Cahokia Canal.

Portion of New Relocated Illinois Route 3
A continuation of Relocated Route 3 will extend from Packers Avenue to the new Illinois Route 3 Connector. The 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, which is a four-lane design.

Exchange Avenue (1st Street to 7th Street)
Improvements to Exchange Avenue include complete reconstruction of the two-lane roadway between 1st Street and 7th Street, incorporating a new sidewalk* along the eastern side, and installation of curb and gutters and closed storm sewers. The existing at-grade railroad crossings will be retained.

The Preferred Alternative satisfies purpose and need by enhancing accessibility for all users, providing travel time reliability, and eliminating the dependence on indirect local routes and short trips along I-55 and I-70. Furthermore, by strengthening connections and accessibility, it can create opportunities for economic development, benefiting both existing and new businesses.

The preferred alternative was designed to avoid disproportionate impacts on environmental justice communities. In addition,

• it will add 1.5 miles of new roads and shared-use paths and sidewalks* within East St. Louis, Madison, and Fairmont City;
  
• it will add 20 cubic yards of compensatory storage;
  
• converts approximately 75 acres of land to multimodal transportation purposes proposed right-of-way will encroach on approximately 2 acres of floodplain, the majority of which is within state right-of-way;
  
• impacts approximately 3 acres of wetlands which will be mitigated;
  
• impacts 5 state and federally threatened species which will be relocated; and
• within the proposed right-of-way, there are 24 special waste sites and one archaeological site, which will require special attention during final design and construction.

Despite the necessity for new right-of-way, there are no anticipated displacements.

The Illinois Route 3 Connector project followed both the federal National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) and IDOT’s Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) processes. IDOT’s CSS process provides a defined approach to stakeholder engagement, including the development of a community advisory group (CAG). More information on IDOT’s CSS process can be found here.

The CAG for the Illinois Route 3 Connector Project was composed of residents, landowners, community members, business owners, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and people who use the study area for travel. The CAG met eight times, providing valuable input to IDOT throughout the study. A summary of the CAG involvement can be found here.

Public Information Meetings were also an important part of the CSS and decision-making process. Three open-house public meetings were held during the study. They occurred on Tuesday, April 8, 2014; Thursday, October 16, 2014; and Wednesday, September 2, 2015. During these meetings, the project team presented information and sought public input on a variety of study topics. IDOT and project team members were available to discuss the information presented and answer questions. Topics included an introduction to the study process, goals and objectives, existing conditions including environmental resources and constraints, the project purpose and need, range of conceptual alternatives, and the alternatives to be carried forward.

Concluding outreach for the Phase I study includes a Public Hearing in an open house format to be held on November 28, 2023. Click here for more details on the Public Hearing and past Public Information Meetings.
 

The remaining steps of the Phase I Study are 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 III, or Construction, depends on budget availability, right-of-way, and project readiness.

*Sidewalks and paths are dependent on local agency acceptance of maintenance