The Illinois Tollway hosted a series of open house meetings as part of the agency’s ongoing work on the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.
The Central Tri-State is being reconstructed from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. The open house meetings will provide the opportunity for the Tollway to discuss the 2019 construction information with customers, residents, businesses and communities.
For those unable to attend, information is posted and updated regularly on the Tollway’s website Explore Projects at illinoistollway.com/projects . Comments and questions can also be shared with the Tollway online at illinoistollway.com/outreach or via email at 294tristate@getipass.com.
Monday, May 20 | 6-8pm
Burr Ridge Police Department
7700 S. County Line Rd.
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Tuesday, May 21 | 6-8pm
Lipinski Center
7256 SKyline Dr.
Justice, IL 60458
Wednesday, May 22 | 6-8pm
Schiller Park Community Center
9638 W. Irving Park Rd.
Schiller Park, IL 60176
As part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, the Tollway will replace all existing noisewalls within the project corridor at similar lengths and heights. New noisewalls will be constructed, per recommendations provided within the project noise analysis. Noisewall design and locations are scheduled to be finalized by early 2019.
For more information and resources about the noisewall construction, please click on the links.
The construction of I-294 through the Village of Hinsdale has made a lasting imprint on the community. What happens now, with the most significant reconstruction of this stretch of I-294 since this area of the roadway was built, will also have a similar long-term impact on our community - even if not as dramatic as the original construction.
With the Tollway focused on features solely related to congestion relief, the Village must take on the role of encouraging a new design that has minimal impact on the residents of the community.
October 2017 Update on Village activities
Village officials continue to closely monitor activity regarding the Illinois Tollway Authority’s I-294 expansion plan. It is our understanding that the Authority plans to release further information about the project in the near future. As you know, the Village has made clear its opposition to any expansion plan that will adversely impact our community, our economy, our environment and our quality of life.
Specifically, the Village will oppose any plans to expand the Tollway through Hinsdale that:
- moves sound walls closer to homes;
- increases noise pollution;
- negatively encroaches upon Village parks and open space; and
- reduces the Village’s sales tax revenue generated by businesses at the Hinsdale Oasis
Village Staff meets with Tollway Representatives
Village staff met with Tollway Authority officials in August to review gain a better sense of when detailed plans to expand I-294 Tollway through Hinsdale will be shared with the community. Tollway officials said only that they expect to release preliminary plans sometime this fall. Village staff discussed the impact any Tollway expansion will have on Hinsdale and restated the Village’s concerns. The first part of the Tollway expansion includes rebuilding the BNSF railroad bridge over I-294. The Tollway has requested an easement from the Village to perform construction work on the railroad bridge. Village staff made it clear that the Village will not grant any easements until the Village’s concerns have been addressed.
President Cauley and Village staff meet with state lawmakers, railroad officials and Tollway Authority staff to discuss potential railroad bridge rebuild and its impact on Veeck Park and the community.
In August, President Cauley and Village Staff met with State Representatives Patti Bellock, Jim Durkin and State Senator Chris Nybo along with representatives from the Burlington Northern Santa Fa railroad and Tollway Authority officials to review plans to rebuild the railroad bridge over I-294. The Tollway Authority plans call for building a temporary set of tracks over I-294 during construction of the railroad bridge. The Tollway Authority and railroad are considering leaving a permanent, single set of tracks following construction of the new bridge that would be used to store railroad maintenance trains. The Village objects to the permanent railroad spur and objects to anything that would negatively impact Veeck and Peirce Parks. The Village has requested the Tollway and railroad consider an alternate area to store maintenance equipment.
Village Board Approves hiring roadway engineering firm
The Village has hired a top roadway engineering firm that has experience developing alternate roadway designs on Illinois Tollway projects. We will be working closely with the firm to help us explore other concepts that could minimize the impact on any Tollway widening through Hinsdale.
Village retains government relations counsel to aid in communication to Tollway Authority
In July, the Village hired a government relations firm to represent the Village’s interest in the Tollway expansion project. “Adding government relations strategists to our team is just one way that can help us communicate directly to decision makers about the negative impacts that tollway expansion will have on our community,” said Village President Tom Cauley.
Keeping all Hinsdaleans informed and engaged on this vital issue is an essential component to ensuring that our voices are heard and our concerns are addressed as this project moves forward. We will continue to provide you with updates on our progress going forward.
Specific issues related to the I-294 reconstruction project have been subjects of Village Board special meetings:
First Meeting of the Ad Hoc Tollway Advisory Committee March, 9, 2017. To join, please email tollway@villageofhinsdale.org
Village Board Meeting February 27, 2017
June 22, 2017 - The Tollway held a Board Meeting at 9:00am. Click here to view the notice and agenda.
June 14, 2017 - The Tollway held a Finance, Administration and Operations Committee Meeting at 9:30am. Click here to view the notice and agenda.
May 22, 2017 - The Tollway held a Customer Service and Planning Committee meeting at 9:00am. Click here to view the notice and agenda.
May 17, 2017 - The Tollway held a Finance, Administration and Operations Committee meeting at 9:30am. Click here to view the notice and agenda.
April 24, 2017 - The Tollway held a meeting at the Hinsdale Oasis. Click here to view the presentation.
March 23, 2017 - The Tollway Board held a meeting at 9:00am. Click here to view the agenda and meeting.
March 15, 2017 - The Tollway Authority's Finance Administration and Operations Committee held a meeting at 9:30am. Click here to view the notice and agenda.
March 13, 2017 - The Tollway Authority's Customer Service and Planning Committee held a meeting at 10:30am. Click here to view the notice and agenda and here to view the video.
March 9, 2017 - A meeting was held at Hinsdale Middle School to establish the Ad Hoc Tollway Advisory Committee to oppose the potential widening of I-294. If you are interested in joining, please email tollway@villageofhinsdale.org
February 27, 2017 - An informational community meeting was held to raise community awareness and discuss the Tollway Authority's potential expansion project. No action was taken by the Village Board at this meeting. Click here to view the presentation , here for the Tri-State congestion document, and here to watch the video.
February 22, 2017 - A Press Release was issued regarding an informational community meeting to be held on February 27, 2017.
February 9, 2017 - Village Letter to Community published in Hinsdalean Newspaper.
February 6, 2017 - President Cauley met with Tollway Authority Chairman Schillerstrom. Chairman Schillerstrom stated that no final decision has been made, but a final decision will be made within six months. Schillerstrom indicated that the final decision will most likely include widening of I-294 through Hinsdale.
December 2016 - President Cauley, Trustee LaPlaca and Village Staff met with the Tollway Authority and it became clear that the Tollway Authority was very far along in its discussions with BNSF, as they presented a map identifying areas for easements that are needed from the Village to reconstruct bridge. President Cauley stateed that the Village will not authorize/approve any easements not knowing what the final plan is for Tollway.
November 2016 - Village Officials met with the Tollway Authority regarding the need for easements from the Village for reconstruction of BNSF Bridge. Tollway Authority disclosed that a new BNSF Bridge will be built to accommodate up to six lanes in each direction.
November 2016 - Tollway Authority conducted sound measurements in the Woodlands.
April 2016 - Tollway Authority acknowledged that the existing BNSF bridge was in good condition relative to other infrastructure along the route, which caused staff to question the reason for the Tollway Authority’s interest in replacing the BNSF Bridge. Staff deduced it was likely that the Tollway Authority was contemplating replacement primarily to allow widening of the roadway. However, the Tollway Authority could not confirm or deny that widening would occur. The Tollway Authority said no plans were final and that it would meet with the Village in the Fall 2016 to provide a status. Click here to access an article published by the Daily Herald.
December 2014 - The Tollway Authority developed a Master Plan Vision identifying congestion as an issue. While the possibility of widening I-294 was mentioned, and at this point it was just one of several possibilities. Since then, Village officials have been staying abreast of activities related to the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) reconstruction. The initial focus of the interaction with the Tollway Authority was on drainage. The Tollway Authority also discussed gaining access to Peirce and Veeck Park in the event that the BNSF Bridge needed to be replaced as part of the Tollway Authority project.
When did the Village first know about the Tollway Authority’s proposed plans?
Tollway officials began meeting with the Village in 2015. However, it was not until November 2016 and December 2016 that it became evident that the Tollway plans included potential widening through Hinsdale. The Village met with Tollway Chairman Robert Schillerstrom to review its understanding of the potential project on February 6, 2017. After Chairman Schillerstrom said he could not say that I-294 would not be widened, Village officials planned a public information meeting for February 27.
Did the Village respond to Mr. Schillerstrom’s statement about potential widening?
In response to potential widening the Village proposed the following to Mr. Schillerstrom:
- Do not widen I-294 at all. Mr. Schillerstrom’s response was, in effect, that was not an option.
- Start the widening of I-294 north of Hinsdale. Mr. Schillerstrom responded that was not a practical solution.
- Move the center line of I-294 through Hinsdale to the east, because there are fewer residences and parks on the Western Springs side of I-294. Mr. Schillerstrom said that was a possibility and would look into it.
- Village President Tom Cauley asked Mr. Schillerstrom if there were other options. Mr. Schillerstrom responded that he could not think of any.
- The Village described the devastating effect widening I-294 into Hinsdale would have on residential property, Village parks and the Hinsdale Oasis. Mr. Schillerstrom’s only response was “I know there will be a lot of unhappy people.”
Who sits on the Tollway Authority Board and how does it derive its authority?
The State of Illinois through 605 ILCS 10 Toll Highway Act creates the administrative agency of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. The Tollway Authority has an 11-member board, including Governor Bruce Rauner and Secretary of Transportation Randall S. Blankenhorn, who serve as ex-officio members. The Chairman and Directors are appointed by the Governor and serve four-year terms; no more than five of the members may be from one political party. The Board of Directors sets policy for the operation, maintenance and construction of the roadways.
What are the issues the Tollway is trying to address?
The Tollway has identified congestion, access, flooding and freight as high priorities that need to be addressed as part of this project.
When will the potential construction start?
The final plans for the I-294 project are not known. The timelines below were taken from the Tollway website. The timelines clearly show that key decisions will be made in 2017. The purpose of the information campaign is so that the residents can voice their concerns prior to any final action being taken by the Tollway Authority.
What is the impact to homeowners?
If I-294 is expanded, each lane added could potentially move the existing sound wall an additional 12 to 15 feet closer toward the homes of Hinsdale residents and potentially eliminate many backyards.
What is the impact to the parks?
The potential I-294 expansion could also eliminate valuable park space in Peirce, Veeck, Woodland and Brook parks as the sound wall moving 12 to 15 feet west potentially renders the parks unusable for up to three years due to construction adversely impacting the baseball, softball, soccer and football fields.
BNSF Reconstruction: temporary train tracks built to accommodate the BNSF train traffic while the railroad bridge is being rebuilt to accommodate the expansion of up to six lanes of traffic could make much of Veeck Park unusable.
What is the impact to the environment?
Adding lanes to the I-294 could increase the noise levels due to increased truck and vehicle traffic as adding capacity to highways actually generates additional travel increasing the noise and air pollution.
What is the impact to the Village revenues?
The potential I-294 expansion would result in the loss of the tax revenue generated at the Hinsdale Oasis of approximately $550,000 in revenues (representing about 11% of the Village’s combined Sales Tax and Food and Beverage Tax receipts). Loss of that revenue could jeopardize the Village’s operating budget needed to fix the Village roads and sewers.
Why can’t Hinsdale say “no” and stop any plans the Tollway proposes that would adversely impact Hinsdale?
The Tollway Authority has the ability to use Eminent Domain to initiate “quick take” or condemnation procedures. Generally, the Tollway Authority also has the authority to take the land, even if the land is being used by the municipality. All that is required is approval of the Illinois Commerce Commission.
How can the Tollway take land and move sound walls without Hinsdale’s permission?
The Tollway Authority has suggested that the goal of any potential expansion would be to use its easements or right of way (ROW). However, many of the Tollway’s easements and ROWs are very close to Hinsdale homes and parks.
Can the Village sue the Tollway to stop their plans?
While the Village has researched this issue, the Village is not aware of any viable legal claim it can bring against the Tollway under the Eminent Domain Act.
Can the Village sue the Tollway Authority on behalf of residents whose property may have lost value as a result of the Tollway expansion?
No, as such a lawsuit would violate the Illinois Constitution. The Village cannot use public funds for a private purpose. Such a lawsuit would only impact a few individual residents for their own personal property values, and not the public at large.