143rd St Neighbors Organization, Inc.
Letter 1

September 24, 1998

Attached you will find a list of citizens' concerns about the proposed 143 rd Street Extension to Interstate 55 (I-55). Also being called the «Route #30 Bypass» or «Route #30 Truck Route».

This list was developed by an organized group of Plainfield area people who want their concerns to be heard and addressed. We are requesting the Village to provide written responses about each concern .

We believe this comprehensive list contains all concerns that have not yet been addressed by the Village of Plainfield «plans». Documentation, provided by the Village, as well as information from various newspaper articles, were reviewed in detail as part of the process to complete this document.

Items in this list should not be construed as «technically» accurate because none in our group are wild life experts, flood plain experts, building experts, traffic pattern experts, feasibility experts or even highway engineers. Also, we are not flooding experts, although some of us have had several experiences with floods.

We are just a taxpayers, using common sense reasoning, to develop and express our concerns about the latest 143 rd Street Extension plans being implemented by some members of the Plainfield Village Council.

All we ask is that these concerns be given serious consideration by the Village of Plainfield and that we receive a written response to our documented list of concerns stating how and when each concern will be addressed. We would also like to know when we could expect this written response.

September 24, 1998

143rd Street Extension to I-55 Concerns

Is The 143 rd Street Extension The Right Thing To Do

Looking at the entire Plainfield area traffic problem, is the 143 rd Street Extension the proper early step to take. It seems that there should be traffic direction counts showing how many vehicles enter and leave Plainfield during the morning and evening rush hours.

Though there are total traffic numbers in the 1995 plan, it does not mention the counts by direction and by rush hour. The counts, by direction, should show traffic for the hours of 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM and again for the hours of 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Monday through Friday.

The counts should be totaled separately for trucks and cars that:

· Enter from the North via Rte #59

This is the information that should be used to determine where money should be first allocated to really fix this traffic problem for ALL Plainfield area residents.

Village of Plainfield's first response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
1) The suggestion for the traffic counts at all Village entrances is beyond the scope of the present feasibility study and the cost of such counts would approach $25,000. These funds are not currently available. Traffic counts and origin and destination studies may be part of Phase I Engineering. Presently, we are relying on earlier data and IDOT numbers.

What Will it do For Northbound Rte #59 Drivers

The real traffic problem is coming into and out of Plainfield on Rte #59. The «1995 transportation plan» shows more traffic on Rte #59 than what occurs on Rte #30. And if the Northbound traffic coming into Plainfield wanted to get to I-55, it would take Renwick to Rte #30 or Rte 126 to I-55 North.

But the traffic numbers don't appear to show that. It looks like Rte #59 traffic going North to Naperville and back from Naperville. (Probably going to and coming from I-88 which I-55 doesn't help. ).

But what do we actually experience during rush hour in Plainfield? I looks like automobiles are bottlenecked all up and down the two lane Rte #59 !

Trucks are a very small part, if any, part of the rush hour Rte #59 traffic into and out of Plainfield! And coming into Plainfield on Rte #30 (Rte 126) from the West is not hardly as big a traffic problem as trying to enter or leave Plainfield via Rte #59.

What does the 143 rd Street Extension do to address the Northbound Rte #59 traffic from residences South of Plainfield in the morning and the Southbound Rte #59 traffic in the evening?

Wouldn't it be better to spend this 143 rd Street Extension money to hasten the project to heighten and widen the railroad viaduct to four lanes and widen to four lanes, with turning lanes, all of Rte #59 from Shorewood to Naperville?

Furthermore, the I-55 «full» interchange plans for Caton Farm Road, (found in the «1995 transportation plan»), would help the «real» traffic problem ALL Plainfield area residents much more than a 143 rd Street Extension with «hokey» one way entry onto I-55.

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
2) Funds for studying 143rd Street and Route 59 improvements are not connected. The State of Illinois is responsible for Route 59 and the viaduct. Improvement plans and engineering are complete for both and we expect construction to widen Rt. 59 and the viaduct in the year 2000. This is the schedule we have received from IDOT.

Value of Pathway Houses When «Acquisitioned»

How much will the homeowners, whose homes are «acquisitioned», receive? Will it be the assessed valuation for which we are paying taxes, a 1998 independently appraised value, or some new, biased assessment based on the roadway decision?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
3) Any acquisition of homesites would require the payment of full market value as determined by appraisers. This is not a part of the feasibility study nor Phase I engineering.

The real estate value will drop considerably for those homeowners who were not quite close enough to be «acquisitioned» but close enough so no one would ever want to buy their homes?

Will they receive any compensation for the reduced value? Will the Village « guarantee » the homeowner a set value for the house when sold?

Will the homes be reassessed for tax value thereby reducing the real estate taxes considerably? (See related story on front page of Naperville Sun dated September 2 nd 1998).

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
4) The value of surrounding homes not immediately adjacent to the studied 143rd Street improvement is no different than the proximity and effect of Route 126. If you have such evidence, please present it.

Rte 30 Business Concerns Between Rte 59 and I-55

Though the 143 rd Street extension proposal is being touted as a «truck» bypass, people driving cars will certainly use it to bypass Plainfield as well. This will result in Rte #30 between Rte #59 and I-55 receiving much less traffic than it does today.

After contacting a few businesses on that stretch of highway, it appears that there probably will be no impact to higher priced specialty and «appointment only» businesses.

However, retail stores and restaurants, who picked their business for location (traffic), location (traffic), location (traffic), could be negatively impacted by this 143 rd Street Extension («bypass») plan because traffic will be bypassing their location .

This «reduced traffic» stretch of Rte #30 could be «informally» renamed «The Old Rte #30» or «The Business Route» or maybe «Historic Rte #30» or even «The Bird View Route».

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
5) Your projection of reduced retail traffic on Route 30 is speculation. Typically, traffic that is "stalled" because of congestion is a deterrent to good local business; and, traffic that "flows" produces more retail trade and shopper convenience.

Today you can see wild animals where the 143 rd Street Extension bridge is planned over the Dupage River and along the entire ComEd easement. Geese, deer and many other animals, even fox, can be seen in that area on a regular basis.

In addition, many egrets, hawks and herons can be seen feeding in the area. (The hawks can be seen all along the ComEd easement, not only along the river.) Their favorite «hide-away restaurant» along the river and along the ComEd easement is about to be destroyed forever. Can someone estimate what the effects of this disruption will be?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
6) The environmental sensitivity of the 143rd Street corridor remains as a significant concern to all of us. During Phase I engineering we will have to do an environmental assessment and document the current condition together with estimates of the road's impact and remedial actions necessary.

Endangered birds may be mating in the Lake Renwick Rookery, but they are going out for dinner first, right where that 143 rd Street Extension bridge is going to be built. Are the endangered going to be more endangered?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
None.

Will the 143 rd Street Extension have to close down whenever it rains, like when the Rte #59 railroad underpass closes? The area where the 143 rd Extension bridge is planned is a vast flood plain area.

The build up of land to raise the bridge above river flood stage would be a large undertaking indeed. If adequately elevated, the fill that is used will be displacing flood waters that will have to go somewhere.

This means that those who currently live «near» a flood plain may now be «in» a flood plain. Can someone review the historical flooding in the immediate area of the 143 rd Street Extension bridge to ensure proper height for the bridge and to identify where the new flood plain will be?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
7) The law on flood plains is quite clear. No improvement to this land can increase flooding upstream or downstream. It is not practical or affordable to design a bridge in advance of the feasibility study. These issues would be addressed during Phase I engineering.

New Bridge Adding to River Damming Effect

When the flood waters come, and they do more often than ever, this bridge will just be another hurdle the river must rush by. When trees and other debris clog this bridge, as it has others, the damming effect will be felt by the properties up upstream.

Can taller and wider spaced supports be used to prevent damming during rains? And can the river be dredged and channeled to further prevent flooding?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
None.

River fog is another consideration for bridge height. In Spring and Fall the low lying areas of the flood plain, where the new 143 rd Extension bridge would go, becomes inundated with heavy fog. In the late fall this fog turns to ice on pavement.

This river fog seems to usually be about 5 or 6 feet above the surface of Naperville Road near the River and flood plain areas. The new 143 rd Extension bridge should have enough height to go over this fog problem. Can this be part of the plan?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
None.

The new 143 rd Street Extension will be cutting through existing home areas, or very close to property lines, where personal well and septic systems are used. These homes, if not condemned, will have to take precautions for their well drinking water.

Winter road salt, as well as oil and gas drippings, could leach into the wells. Can this be studied to estimate the impact and if existing wells have to be moved or will Village water be provided, with no hookup fees?

If septic fields are endangered or no longer can be used, will the Village allow hookup to the Village sewer system also with no hookup fees as well?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
8) Road salt and other chemicals seldom affect nearby wells given our application rates and size of residential properties in the area. Has well contamination occurred along Route 126? Hook ups to the Village system, either water or sewer, are covered by local ordinance and you would have to pay the same fee as Village residents. However, since your residential area is not in the Village corporate limits, your water and sewer rates for consumption would double compared to residents.

Today water form rain and melting snow seeps into the ground it lands on. When the new 143 rd Street Extension is built, it will be made of cement and blacktop. We want to know exactly how the drainage problem for this roadway will be addressed?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
9) Roadway drainage is a function of Phase I engineering.

We do not need another TWO lane road for our growing area! If the 143 rd Street Extension turns out to be the absolute best solution, then let's build it right the first time. Don't disrupt everyone twice.

Make this 143 rd Street Extension four lanes NOW! We do not need another two lane bottleneck like Rte #59.

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
10) The feasibility study is determining lane width, interstate intersect, type of interchange and future expansion. No decisions have been made.

The Southbound only connection for Eastbound traffic with some strange frontage road connection for Westbound traffic sounds very hokey. This connection should be a full clover leaf at I-55 where you can go either North or South on I-55.

A «hokey» interchange, like the one being proposed, is less likely to be used. Do the job right the first time. Can we be assured of the full interchange?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
11) I don't understand the hokey interchange. Perhaps, you have the benefit of some engineering that I do not have. Nothing has been proposed to date.

If there is an intersection where the new 143 rd Street Extension meets Naperville road we NEED stop lights with turning lanes! Can we be assured that this will happen?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
12) Any intersection that warrants a traffic signal will have a traffic signal.

The 143 rd Street Extension will have to cross a river and flood plain, (and maybe even go over Naperville Road before it is done). In any event, it will have a long stretch of «bridge type» roadway.

Where will the snow and salt from the plows go? This roadway will need wider than usual shoulders to hold the snow removed from that part of the road. Can these extra wide shoulders be added to the bridge requirements?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
13) This relates to bridge design. See #7.

The nearby homes will not only hear the traffic, they will fell it as well. For the roadside folk, backyard barbecues will be a thing of the past and dust in the homes will be commonplace.

Can the expected increase in noise, dirt and vibrations be determined for homeowners near the roadway? Will sufficient noise barriers be built to eliminate road noise? What will these noise barriers look like in five or ten years and who is responsible for maintaining them.

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
14) These are issues of Phase I engineering.

Even with today's vehicle pollution controls, both visible and invisible fumes will be being emitted by traffic on this new 143 rd Street Extension. Smoke, lead and many other emissions will be dropped onto the nearby areas where this roadway goes.

What can be done to minimize this hazard? Has this been studied? Can homeowners be rebated for special filters in homes? How about being reimbursed for hospital fees due to hazardous fume related illnesses?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
15) See answer #6

Our roads are cleaner today than in the 40's and 50's but there is still litter along roads. Who will be responsible for picking up this litter along the 143 rd Street Extension?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
16) This is under local jurisdiction.

Homes near the 143 rd Street Extension will never be in darkness again because of roadway lights.

Perhaps some kind of shielding on the roadway lights could be included in the plans to prevent them from glaring into homes?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
17) This can be done.

Will there be any problems (diseases, etc.) with the large increase in bug population around those «lighted» (never darkened) homes because of the roadway lights? What about animals that feed on those bugs like bats (rabies), birds and the ramifications of their bites and droppings?

How about including a study, in the plans, to fully assess the impact of what a large bug influx will have on these homes?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
18) See#6
Oooops! Special note about bats and rabies: The authors of this letter made a huge mistake by insinuating bats cause rabies. Though rare, bats should not be associated with being rabid carriers. After receiving email on this subject and doing some research, it may be better for all of us to put up bat houses and encourage bat population growth in the Plainfield area. Bats are a very good and natural bug controlling animal. Here is quote from an email received on the subject: "…However, one point you made that irked me a tad was your reference to Bats & Rabies. Being somewhat of a bat fan I feel compelled to request you not further old wives tales and myths associated with Bats. They have no greater incidence of rabies than do cats, dogs or other animals and they do *not* attack (or bite) humans. As a matter of fact, they are much better at controlling mosquito populations than pesticides or "bug zapper" lights. One would do well to place a "bat house" (much like a bird house) in his or her back yard."

How about those large, lighted, roadway signs. They are a pretty shade of green, but not what anyone wants to see out their windows at night. Can these lights be shielded as well?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
19) This can be done.

We assume that graves in St. Mary's Cemetery will not have to be relocated because of cost and ultimate road location. However, the road will be close enough to disrupt services at the cemetery.

What kind of sound barrier will there be between the roadway and cemetery to minimize noise distractions at graveside services and visits?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
20) See#14

Just another concern and reason to provide adequate noise barrier walls.

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
None.

The ComEd high lines will be within easy striking distance if a truck., or car, were to leave the roadway. Do the plans include some kind of permanent protection to the base of all the towers along the roadway?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
21) See#14

Today there are many rodents (and snakes) along the ComEd easement which are kept in check by the hawks and other predators feeding on them in the area. When the 143 rd Street Extension goes in, many rodents will relocate themselves to other areas in the easement, as well as onto nearby private property, and their population will start to grow dramatically.

With the new roadway in place, hawks, fox and other predators will no longer be looking for dinner in the ComEd easement and the rodent population will spread and increase unabated.

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
22) See#6

Ask the folks that put in the sewer line on Naperville Road for the Lakelands subdivision, they hit an underground stream right at the ComEd right of way?

Will this impact the cost of the extension foundation and bridge supports?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
23) See#14

These folks have roads and bridges in place and may want to develop another connection into I-55. Did anyone talk seriously to these towns?

Did the study consider the plans to transform 95 th Street into a major thoroughfare by extending it East to Boughton Road and West to Route #30. (See front page Naperville Sun September 2,1998).

Do these communities have other plans that would ultimately reduce traffic in Plainfield and eliminate the need for an expensive 143 rd Street Extension?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
24) All surrounding municipal jurisdictions were contacted early in the feasibility study preparation. None has a formal objection and they are waiting to see the final study.

There are certainly other «downtown Plainfield bypass» alternatives in the «1995 transportation plan» that would cost less tax paying dollars and offer equal benefits, in relieving traffic (trucks & cars) in downtown Plainfield.

We would like to know the traffic study, estimated costs and all other details of all options in the «1995 transportation plan»? What were all the alternatives reviewed before zeroing in on the 143 rd Street Extension idea?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
25) The 1995 Transportation Plan discussed 8 different corridors (see page 15 et al). Three were considered "feasible" and the 143rd Street corridor was recommended as an immediate priority (see page 26 & 27). The Village Board is following the recommendations of the 1995 plan and its consultants.

ComEd is planning to get out of the «power producing» business and to only concentrate on the «power distribution system». However, their recent actions don't seem quite right to meet their new goal?

Here in Plainfield, ComEd is giving away «precious» utility right-a-way property from Rte #59 to I-55 so a road can be built. If they were really interested in «just» the power distribution, why would they give away this tract of right-a-way that reaches one of the fastest growing areas of Illinois?

Can someone review the «West of I-55» area growth plans with ComEd and see if the «reduced» easement will in anyway impact our getting future electricity needs?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
26) The Village is in no position to study ComEd rates, policies or future decisions. If you are alleging a conspiracy you should contact the State's Atorney.

Exactly how much money do we have to make these traffic alternative studies? How many alternatives will we consider? How much have we spent for each alternative? Where did the money come from? Are there any time limits or restrictions to using this «study» money?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
27) The money for the feasibility study came from local utility tax funds paid by Village of Plainfield residents. The contract with the consultant is for $50,000 and there are no time limits for spending the funds. The study was directed at the 143rd Street corridor, but a review was made of earlier alternatives as suggested by the 1995 plan.

Who will be responsible for the 143 rd Street Extension upkeep? The policing? The emergency services? The salting & plowing? The noise barrier upkeep? The I-55 connection roads? In other words, who is responsible for the entire 143 rd Street Extension and everything that goes with it after it is built? What are the estimated «on-going» costs to taxpayers for the above?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
28) The State of Illinois will be responsible for 143rd Street and the interchange. No maintenance costs have been estimated because we don't know yet what can or will be built.

What will be the expected total cost for each alternative, what are the benefits, and when will they occur?

Village of Plainfield's first formal response to this item as of October 1, 1998:
29) This is what the feasibility study is intended to provide us so we may answer these questions rationally.