Submitted By
Rob Cole, Assistant Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) Update and Discussion: Utility Crossings, Drainage, Bridge Sidewalk and Road Widths
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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:
· Village infrastructure for water and sewer utilities that cross underneath I-290;
· A brief overview of I-290 drainage through Oak Park; and
· A recommendation related to bridges which cross over the I-290 in Oak Park and the sidewalk and road width improvements, including the Home Avenue bridge, that are proposed as part of the reconstruction project. It is noted that this discussion does not include aesthetic design of these bridge crossings, as that topic will be addressed at a later date.
It is also noted that comment site has been opened on the Village website related to the recommended sidewalk widths. Residents are encouraged to review the information at the link and share their comments on the sidewalk recommendations through Monday, April 27, 2015 at noon. The site can be found at www.oak-park.us/ikesidewalks <http://www.oak-park.us/ikesidewalks>
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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.
Body
Report
On February 18, 2015 the Village Board approved a Motion directing staff to schedule a series of study sessions focused on developing a list of detailed I-290 reconstruction requirements that will ultimately be incorporated into a Letter of Intent with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Staff has been meeting with Village President Abu-Taleb, Trustee Lueck and IDOT to review elements of the reconstruction and significant progress has been made related to the geometry of the sidewalks and roadway widths over the IKE. Specifically, IDOT has agreed to incorporate into the reconstruction improved standards for sidewalk widths to ensure adequate room for all modes of transportation. Details are contained in the attached reports.
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.
Today's study session is the first in a series of discussions that will take place over coming months, and focuses sharply on the following topics:
1. Oak Park Water and Sewer Utility Crossing Update
2. Drainage Introduction
3. Bridge Sidewalk and Roadway dimensions
Importantly, and just as today's discussion is limited in scope, each of the future study sessions will focus sharply 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.
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.
Alternatives
This is a presentation and discussion.