59 expansion study due by end of 2009

The city of Naperville is working on an engineering study of a needed expansion of a 3 mile stretch of Route 59 that is finally expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The study has been ongoing since 2004 and is looking at a stretch of road from the I-88 interchange to Aurora Road which serves 50,000 cars a day, according to the Naperville Sun.

The city will host a public hearing this summer to present the preliminary design and provide interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the plan. The date for the public hearing will be announced in the coming weeks.

Through the study, significant progress has been made in developing solutions to address traffic congestion and safety along this stretch of Route 59. Improvements that have been identified include widening the roadway to three lanes in each direction and adding additional turn and through traffic lanes at key intersections, including the I-88 interchange.

Following the completion of the engineering study, the next steps are to acquire right-of-way for the improvements, prepare the construction documents and construct the improvements. However, without state funding, which has not yet been allocated, these next steps cannot occur. The Illinois Legislature is currently deliberating the state's 2009-2010 budget and a vote is expected by the end of May. All interested parties are encouraged to contact their local legislators and show support for funding for the Route 59 Expansion Project.

To learn more about this project and the proposed solutions, visit www.naperville.il.us/Route59expansion.aspx. Interested parties can also sign up to receive the latest news on the Route 59 Expansion Project at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.

No doubt once construction starts it will be a huge pain in the tuckus for motorists who want to get through this stretch and especially for residents who will have to negotiate it on a regular basis. That being said, this expansion is necessary. Let's hope the road crews can work with haste and complete the project as soon as feasible.