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Route 178 realignment discussed in Utica

Posted January 23, 2008 10:00 pm

Catherine Hopkins

Traffic flow and the impact on Utica businesses were among topics discussed Wednesday at a public hearing about realigning Illinois Route 178.

"Currently the way Illinois 178 works is there are two 90-degree turns as it comes through town and traffic goes through the central business district," said Ted Fultz, an engineer with District 3 of the Illinois Department of Transportation in Ottawa. "It's very difficult for trucks to make those turns. And because of the way the town is laid out, there was limited access into the village by emergency vehicles."

IDOT held the afternoon hearing at Village Hall to give people a chance to ask questions about the project.

The importance of realigning the road was brought to the forefront when a deadly tornado hit Utica in April 2004. A Utica United Recovery Plan was developed, and "re-routing 178 was included in the plan," Fultz said.

Nevertheless, some business owners in the downtown district are concerned the project will hurt their sales. "While it's good in a way because it'll reduce the truck noise, not as many tourists will come through town," said Jerry Baness, owner of Towpath Collectibles on Mill Street. "They'll just go straight to Starved Rock."

Fultz said that while others have voiced a similar concern, the new alignment is less than a block from the current business district.

Futz also said construction funding for the project has not been secured.

"Construction is estimated at $6.6 million and land acquisition is estimated at $1.4 million," said Fultz. "We also need to acquire 37 parcels but have only purchased five. We've demolished a few of the tornado-damaged homes on the route."

IDOT would like to wrap up Phase One of the project by this summer, which involves making final revisions to the plan with the public's input. "Then we'll move onto Phase Two, which includes making detailed plans and estimates like blueprints," said Fultz. "Phase Three involves construction."

Those unable to attend Wednesday's meeting can still register their input. Comment cards and displays of the project will be available at Village Hall until Feb. 7. At that time, IDOT will include the comments in the public hearing records.

Reach Journal Star reporter Catherine Hopkins at (309) 686-3041 or state@pjstar.com.

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