For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022
November 30, 2007

LOCAL ROAD PROJECTS RECEIVE FUNDING 

WHEATON, IL — Enhancing public safety and easing traffic congestion is the aim of a planning process that would provide for major improvements on IL Route 38 at the intersection with Kautz Road.

The project would provide for a grade separation at the intersection of IL Route 38 and Kautz Road, thereby allowing motorists to cross over and above the current railroad. 

DuPage County Transportation Committee Chairman Pam Rion (District 6) notes that $1.6 million has been secured to prepare engineering documents via a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant made available through the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP).  According to Rion, this project will help ease congestion and enhance the public safety.

“Grade separations provide two tangible benefits to residents.  They help ease traffic congestion, and they provide for safe traveling through dangerous intersections,” said Rion.  “The County has been partnered with West Chicago on this endeavor since early 1998 and our Department of Transportation has long championed improving many of our railroad crossings.”

CMAP has also provided another grant, this one totaling $384,000, which will go toward the interconnection of traffic signals on Lemont Road (from Plainfield/83^rd Street to 97^th Street) in order to improve the flow of traffic and ease congestion. 

DuPage County Board Member Tom Bennington (District 3) notes that this project will have a direct impact for area motorists.

“Motorists in this area know how congested this corridor can become,” said Bennington.  “This project will help ease that congestion, as well as improve the flow of traffic.”

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