Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Agenda Item Title
Title
Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) Update and Discussion: Harlem Ave. and Austin Blvd. Traffic Analysis.
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Overview
Overview
As discussed at the February 18, 2015 meeting of the Village Board, a series of Village Board Study Session are being held to allow Village Staff to present information related to elements of the future reconstruction of the I-290 through Oak Park. As a part of this meeting, information will be presented related to:
• Traffic analysis of Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard interchanges with I-290;
It is also noted that comment site has been opened on the Village website related to the traffic analysis and impacts on Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard. Residents are encouraged to review the information at the link and share their comments on the traffic analysis through Monday, July 13, 2015 at noon. The site can be found at www.oak-park.us/ikecomments
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Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Recommendation
There will be a series of Village Board Study Session continuing throughout 2015 in order to provide an opportunity for discussion and consensus related to the reconstruction of I-290. The conclusion of these discussions will be to develop a draft Letter of Intent with the Illinois Department of Transportation. The final Letter of Intent will be presented to the Village Board for formal approval at the conclusion of the Study Sessions. This incremental approach was established as part of the February 18, 2015 discussion with the Village Board in order to provide a process to review the I-290 reconstruction.
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Report
Staff has been meeting with Village President Abu-Taleb, Trustee Lueck and IDOT to review elements of the reconstruction. At the April 27, 2015 Board study session staff presented the progress and IDOT commitments for improved roadway geometry and sidewalk widths over I-290 to ensure adequate room for all modes of transportation.
This study session is the second in the series of discussions and focuses on the operation of the Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard interchanges with I-290 and the impact on traffic flow and pedestrian movements at these locations.
IDOT has provide the Village will a series of traffic models showing the current vehicle movements and existing congestion. Comparative traffic models are also provided and demonstrate the expected traffic functions and pedestrian movements that can be achieved with reconstruction of the interchanges at Harlem Avenue with the I-290 and at Austin Boulevard with the I-290.
At the conclusion of the traffic presentation, staff will also briefly note that discussions are also proceeding related noise impacts and that topic is tentatively scheduled for publicly review in August 2015. Additioanlly, IDOT is developing a 3D model of the Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard interchanges for public review in the future in order to more fully inform the discussion related to proposed redesign of the Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard interchanges with I-290.
As previously affirmed by the Village Board, key local priorities and areas of concern in our continuing discussions and deliberations with the Illinois Department of Transportation include:
1. Safety and convenience for all users, e.g., pedestrians, cyclists, and persons of all ages and abilities, especially at the interchanges with Harlem and Austin;
2. Methods for avoiding or mitigate noise and/or air quality impacts;
3. CTA Blue Line improvements, including those generally described as "Urban Stitching";
4. Locations and extent of expanded bridge decking options;
5. Elements related to corridor aesthetics and community identity;
6. Coordination with public critical utilities;
7. Project financing sources and any local obligations;
8. Construction planning and staging; and
9. Flexibility to discuss options beneficial to Oak Park.
Each of the future study sessions will focus on specific project design elements of local interest. As each study session is completed, new elements will be added to those comprising the Letter of Intent, progressing to a point where all local design and construction concerns have been discussed with consensus reached and documented.
The Letter of Intent will be presented for Village Board approval upon conclusion of all supporting study sessions and related negotiations, likely during Q4 2015, and will establish mutually agreed design elements for the project, specify any agreed cost-sharing, and document any other mutually agreed terms and conditions, such as construction-related staging and mitigation strategies.
Alternatives
This is a presentation and discussion.