By Tim Landis
April 29, 2010
Planning is nearly complete for the MacArthur Boulevard extension. Part II. …design work is well along to take the road another three-quarters of a mile south to Woodside Road in the next five years.
The planning is largely complete. … We’re beginning to look at land acquisition and funding,” said county highway engineer Tim Zahrn.
ICC spokeswoman Beth Bosch said, aside from the funding question, a lot has to fall into place for the project to begin in the next five years.
If money becomes available, the next phase is scheduled to start in 2014 with a new intersection at Iron Bridge and Woodside roads, between Springfield and Chatham, that would account for nearly $30 million of the total cost. ICC funding, which comes from the state motor-fuel tax, pays only for the crossing improvements, such as signals, gates and grade. That leaves a major chunk of the $34.1 million yet to be funded.
The Woodside Road project is in both the state and local five-year transportation plans, which set priorities for funding. In this case, the initial plan is with the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates rail crossings.
Among its key elements:
- An underpass to take Woodside Road beneath the Union Pacific railroad.
- An overpass that would take the next section of MacArthur — and a bike path — over the railroad.
- Move the entire intersection slightly to the west.