TRAFFIC VOLUME WATCH....June 2007......Valley View 19,9100 down 800 vehicles per day from Oct 2006 .....North Avenue to Roosevelt  14,300 to 16,900 .....No appreciable Change

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:    Now that the public hearing has been held for Route 53 from North Avenue to Roosevelt, is there anything  left for 53 Neighbors United to do?

A:    Yes!  The section of Route 53 south of Butterfield Road is currently in Phase I design prior to their public hearing and we are working with residents, IDOT and other agencies to positively influence that design.  Also during Phase II design north of Roosevelt we will continue to work to see that residents whose land is acquired get fair compensation, lobby for matching funds for bicycle paths and sidewalks, and continue to look for opportunities to fine tune the design.  We also anticipate that at some time in the future the stretch of Route 53 between Roosevelt Road and Butterfield Road will be added back into IDOT's multi-year plan.

Q:    If a four-lane divided road is being put in north of Roosevelt Avenue, then have you accomplished anything?

A:    Yes.  By working with residents, IDOT, and public agencies, 53 Neighbors United has lobbied for:

• a reduction in the width of the outer lanes from 14 feet to 12 feet

• lights at Meadow, Madison, and Surrey

• sidewalks set further back from the road

• an off-road bike path from North Avenue to Roosevelt Road connecting to the Great Western Trail, Illinois Prairie Path, Lombard Park District and Glen Ellyn Park District.

• vegetated medians

• curb and gutter

• U-turn facilities so residents living along the road can access their homes from the north or the south.

Q:    I have heard that only the stretch of Route 53 north of St. Charles will be built.  Is that true?

A:    That will be the first section to be built.  The design for the whole section from North Avenue to Roosevelt Road will be presented at the public hearing August 19.  That will complete Phase 1 design.  Phase 2 design and land acquisition is funded for the entire section.  Construction money is allocated for the northern section so that will be built first, probably in 2007.  IDOT will have to request funds to build the southern part of that section from St. Charles to Roosevelt Road.  Construction most likely would begin in 2008 south of St. Charles since Senator Cronin negotiated a delay in funding for that part of the road.

       The section of road from Roosevelt Road to Butterfield Road is not in the current 5-year plan.  We don't know when that section will be revisited by IDOT.  That section would begin in Phase 1 design and would fall under new CSS guidelines.

       The section of road south of Butterfield to Osage Drive is currently in Phase 1 design.  We don't know when it will go to public hearing.  53 Neighbors United is actively engaged with IDOT in discussions about the needs of neighbors in that area.

Q:    Won't off-road bike paths take up a lot more space?

A:    Not really.  If the bike paths were not off-road the outer lanes would have to be at least 14 feet to accomodate a one-way bike lane in each direction.  By having bike paths off-road we save 2 feet off each outside lane or 4 feet of pavement.  An off-road bike path also replaces a 5-foot wide sidewalk on one side of the road.  So a 8 to 10 foot off-road bike path  will save a foot the where it is 8 feet wide and take up an extra foot where it is 10 feet wide.   If we can get 11 foot outer lanes, it might be a net savings the whole route!  The more important thing to most residents, though is that off-road bike paths are safer, more scenic, and narrower outer lanes calm traffic. 

Q:   Is 53 Neighbors United related to NIFTI in any way?

A:   No, but both groups have an interest in how Route 53 is improved.

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Last modified: 06/10/07