Will Connects 2040 becomes official transportation plan

JOLIET – The Will County Board approved a plan Thursday that has been in the works for a couple of years.

The county’s newest long-range transportation plan, known as Will Connects 2040, was compiled by consulting firm AECOM. It looks at current trends related to population, roadways and transit in the county, and aims at predicting the best plan for the future. County transportation studies are required, according to state statute.

AECOM’s Dan Meyers said one of the main goals of the plan was to make it a public document. Officials held several open houses throughout the county to gather input from the public.

“It sets the stage for the vision for transportation and land use in the county,” he said, adding it can also be used to help guide municipalities’ planning to correspond with bigger county projects.

The plan looks at two different scenarios – one with the Illiana Expressway and one without it.

The proposed 50-mile toll road through southern Will County would link Interstate 55 near Wilmington to Interstate 65 in Indiana. The plan states the Illiana would improve regional east-west mobility and accessibility, and offer an alternative route for truck traffic from Interstate 80.

According to the plan, the Illiana would draw traffic, especially trucks, off roads with lower speeds and fewer lanes and offer an efficient travel path, particularly for long-distance trips. The plan states that improvements to Wilmington-Peotone Road would be needed if the Illiana does not come to fruition.

Other highlights include the priorities for the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Tollway, Metra and Pace.

The plan calls for eventual improvements to interchanges on I-80 and I-55 throughout the Joliet area, along with the widening of I-80 to Ridge Road and I-55 to Coal City Road.

The plan cautions that with continued population growth, congestion will keep occurring on roadways after improvements are made. It states there is no “silver bullet” to end transportation concerns.

But it predicts that transit ridership will increase as new services are offered.

“Will Connects 2040 recommends a combination of strategic roadway improvements, complementary transit services and bikeway facilities as the most effective way to help people and goods move to where they need to go,” the plan states.

The final version will be available on willconnects2040.org soon.