Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Agenda Item Title
Title
Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) Update and Discussion: The Harlem Ave. Interchange (ramps) Design and its effects on Air Quality and Noise Impacts.
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Overview
Overview
As discussed at the February 18, 2015 meeting of the Village Board, a series of Village Board Study Sessions 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:
• Harlem Avenue/I-290 interchange design including:
o Ramp configuration heights
o Air Quality Effects
o Noise Impacts
A three dimensional printout of the proposed reconstructed Harlem Avenue/I-290 Interchange is available at Village Hall near the entrance for public viewing. In addition, three dimensional computer simulations are posted on the Village website. These two visual presentations of the reconstructed interchange are meant to inform the public about the proposed spatial relationships with adjacent development that exists today.
Consistent with prior I-290 Study Sessions, the comment page has been opened on the Village website related to the Harlem Avenue Interchange Design and its Air and Noise Impacts. Residents are encouraged to review the information at the link and share their comments on the Harlem Avenue Interchange through Monday, August 24, 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.
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. 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. The full materials presented at that meeting are attached for historical review as a related file.
At the July 13, 2015 Board study session staff presented the traffic analysis of Harlem & Austin at the interchanges with I-290. The full materials presented at that meeting are attached for historical review as a related file.
Today's study session is the third in the series of discussions and focuses sharply on the following topics:
1. The design of the Harlem Ave interchange (ramps) with I-290 including the design constraints which dictate the current design’s height of the roadway and ramps. A video simulation is posted on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/ikecomments <http://www.oak-park.us/ikecomments>. A direct link to the video is included in the attachments.
2. The Air Quality Effects of the Harlem Avenue interchange design and of the proposed I-290 reconstruction project.
3. The Noise Impacts of the proposed Harlem Avenue interchange design. A video presentation about the noise and air quality discussion is posted to the Village website at www.oak-park.us/ikecomments <http://www.oak-park.us/ikecomments>. A direct link to the video is included in the attachments.
4. Presentation of the 3D printout of the Harlem Avenue Interchange as well as 3D simulations and renderings of the interchange.
Importantly, and just as today's discussion is limited in scope, 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.
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.