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* Sun-Times…
A nearly 100-year-old road that runs through Harvey, Dixmoor and Riverdale will be completely modernized for the first time in its history thanks to a $94 million investment from the state, officials announced Thursday.
“Illinois infrastructure is really just a word for opportunity,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a news conference in Harvey. “By investing in it, we open doors for our residents, and virtually everyone, who calls this state home can see and feel the results in real time.”
The roadway on Wood Street/Ashland Avenue that stretches three miles from 161st and 138th streets has largely remained untouched for nearly a century — only receiving the occasional resurfacing. The road is uneven, riddled with potholes and is often flooded when it rains excessively. […]
Bike and pedestrian accommodations will also be added throughout the corridor as well as the bridge over the Little Calumet River will be rehabilitated. One of the most important features of this modernization project is a new storm sewer system will be added to address longtime drainage and flooding issues associated with the outdated road.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:36 pm
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I thought “Blagojevich” meant opportunity?
Comment by Save Ferris Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:40 pm
Anything brought to benefit that area of the south suburbs is welcome and long overdue. I hope the water system in Dixmoor can be addressed, as well.
Comment by Roadrager Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:47 pm
Is that a state route? Looks like it’s a local road, not sure why the state is paying for it.
Comment by Roadwaze Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:48 pm
= Looks like it’s a local road, not sure why the state is paying for it. =
These are communities that can barely satisfy their legacy pension obligations, let alone reinvest in their infrastructure.
Comment by cover Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 3:58 pm
Sounds like a good project. The state pays for a lot of local infrastructure around the state that local taxes simply cannot support. Good for us all
Comment by walker Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:01 pm
Much of the “State” money is actually Federal, it just runs through the State.
Comment by What's in aname? Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:19 pm
While it is true that a signifcant portion of the funds for many (most) road project flow through IDOT in the form of gas-tax and federal funds, this route is in the system as a non-NHS State Jurisdiction route. That means that IDOT has primary responsibility for the maintenance and reconstruction of the road.
Comment by NotSoCivilEngineer Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:37 pm
Keep in mind that state money is made up of these residents’ tax dollars as well.
Comment by rtov Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 4:41 pm
Glad to see there’s bike-ped accommodations. Many of these community residents don’t have cars and need alternative transportation options. Plus, too many bike trails are in more affluent communities. Walking and biking are good for everyone.
Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 5:16 pm
@rtov- Bingo.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 5:17 pm
Ashland Ave/Wood Street in this area is under IDOT jurisdiction as an unmarked State route. The road is also not designated as part of the National Highway System (NHS). The funding likely is coming from RBI bonds. Everyone is all excited about the project. However, to get through the environmental and public involvement processes, develop a set of plans, and put the project up for bids is about 5 years away.
IDOT will likely prepare the environmental documents to meet FHWA regulations and therefore qualify for federal funds as necessary.
If you want to know which agency has jurisdiction over a road, visit the IDOT IRoads GIS database. There is a wealth of information about the roads in our State.
https://webapps.dot.illinois.gov/IROADS/
NotSoCivilEngineer - you are partially correct. The NHS designation, or lack there of, has nothing to do with which agency has jurisdiction and maintenance of a road. There are many roads under non-IDOT jurisdiction that are NHS routes. The designation as a NHS route makes additional pots of money available and compels the owner to design and maintain the road to a higher standard.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 5:48 pm
“Illinois infrastructure is really just a word for opportunity,”
This is so very true. Both the actual physical opportunity it provides (safer driving/biking/walking, fewer flooding events), and the psychological opportunity/support (the State demonstrating that it believes a community matters and is worth investing in). It won’t solve all the challenges in Harvey/Dixmoor/Riverdale, but it’s definitely a positive.
Comment by Leslie K Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 6:04 pm
Area resident; they’re gonna need lift stations to keep the Ind. Harbor Belt RR viaduct south of 138th from flooding. That means big sewer improvements as well. Parts of the road running through Harvey and Dixmoor have no curbs and very few storm drains. This is a tear it down and restart from the beginning project; boy is that gonna be a mess when trains block the crossings cutting diagonally through Harvey and Dixmoor across 147th AND Wood (north of 147th).
Comment by thisjustinagain Thursday, Sep 8, 22 @ 6:11 pm
Infrastructure needs to be built and then later maintained.
It’s this type of project is where governing is seen.
Good stuff
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 9, 22 @ 7:49 am
@thisjustinagain - “they’re gonna need lift stations … big sewer improvements as well.”
Probably why the project is $94mil for about 3 miles of road. It’s the bridge, the sewer improvements, etc. that go in, with and under that road which will help the most but are “unseen” beyond the new pavement.
Comment by Sign of the Times Friday, Sep 9, 22 @ 8:34 am