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Hawthorn Woods solidifies Rt. 53 opposition

Hawthorn Woods has reiterated and solidified its stance against a proposed Route 53 extension, with village board approval of a resolution opposing the road through town.

Project supporters say the action wasn't unexpected and called for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to advance the project by approving an environmental impact study to address concerns and answer questions.

According to the resolution approved Monday, Hawthorn Woods in 1990 withdrew its support for the 12-mile Route 53 extension because of potential harm to the environment. A preferred alternative alignment was selected but the proposal has reverted to the original one that is in conflict with the earlier environmental studies, the village contends. Supporters of the project say the final alignment has not been determined.

Long stretches of elevated road would cause "severe impact" to residents by lowering property values and producing noise, salt and light pollution. The elevated road built on pylons also would divide the village while adding to traffic congestion on arterial roads, such as Route 22, the resolution states.

And as Mayor Joe Mancino has argued in the past, the resolution contends that five communities along the roadway corridor, including Hawthorn Woods, were not represented on the blue ribbon panel that in 2012 recommended the 53 extension be advanced as a four-lane, 45 mph boulevard-style road.

The village argues the required consensus on the road is "nonexistent" and that environmental groups and the five communities have "numerous issues" with the plan, estimated to cost $2.35 billion to $2.65 billion. Last month, Long Grove's village board passed an resolution opposing the proposal.

Steve Park, executive director of the Lake County Transportation Alliance, described the Hawthorn Woods resolution as "balderdash." Park also was Gurnee's representative on groups that have studied ways to fund the road and other elements of the proposal.

"If that's a surprise to anybody, they need to rethink things," he said.

Park said "legitimate" concerns have been raised, but more detailed study is needed to address them.

"Let's do the EIS (environmental impact study) to find the answer to some of these questions," he said. "It was the mayor of Hawthorn Woods who said the devil is in the details. He doesn't want details, he just wants to oppose it."

Mancino said leaving Hawthorn Woods off the blue ribbon committee was unfair and not in compliance with state law. "Should the EIS move forward, it would do so based on a flawed (blue ribbon) report, and further propagate misleading propaganda," he added.

An answer one way or another could be forthcoming next month, when the tollway board considers the 2016 budget.

The document includes $5.8 million to study emerging projects, which could be used to start an environmental impact study for the Route 53/120 extension project.

However, budget approval alone wouldn't automatically advance the impact study because a separate vote would be required.

  A home sits along the Route 53 extension right of way near Essex Court in Hawthorn Woods. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com, 2014
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