Have your say on Elgin O'Hare plan today

Crowds are expected today at an Illinois Department of Transportation open house where engineers will discuss controversial plans to finally extend the Elgin O'Hare Expressway east to the airport instead of petering out around Itasca and constructing a western bypass that links I-90 and I-294.

Although the cost will be high, with some estimates topping out at more than $3 billion, that won't be the hot topic for residents of Elk Grove Village, Bensenville, Des Plaines and Franklin Park likely to attend.

Instead concerns are mounting about what expansion means for homes, businesses and industries in the way of future construction.

State engineers say the project will improve local and regional travel in a location with one of the largest concentration of jobs in the region. Currently, the study area is problematic with at-grade crossings, partial highway interchanges and limited public transit, IDOT Bureau Chief of Programming Pete Harmet said.

A dizzying array of maps will show multiple options for extending the expressway, combined with alternatives for the north connection with I-90 and the south connection with I-294. The meeting is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Belvidere banquet hall, 1170 Devon, Elk Grove Village.

Most of the scenarios envision pushing the Elgin O'Hare east to the airport on Thorndale Avenue, which would be reconstructed as a major expressway.

But there's myriad proposals for the north-south component of the plan, including new layouts for Route 83 and York Road, which are sparking opposition.

Elk Grove Village officials object to designs for the northern part of the bypass widening Route 83 into a major highway between the Elgin O'Hare and Jane Addams Tollway.

Village leaders contend that this option would cut the business park in half and take with it a valuable source of tax revenue. Mayor Craig Johnson has called for a rally outside the meeting at 6 p.m.

Bensenville residents, who oppose an alternative widening York Road, are expected to join in.

Harmet said he welcomed the interest, "I think it's great they're turning out folks. They're participating and that's what has guided and strengthened the planning process," he said.

Another option, not as controversial, is to build the north segment of the bypass on land on the western edge of O'Hare, then continue following a railroad right-of-way to I-90.

Several scenarios for the south leg of the bypass linking up with the Tri-State Tollway also are under consideration and will involve displacing properties in Bensenville or Franklin Park. All would be built as a raised highway or bridge and comprise:

• An expressway heading south from O'Hare following County Line Road to meet I-294.

• An expressway located just west of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

• An expressway directly over the UP tracks, which is probably the least likely to be picked because of conflicts with rail traffic and construction difficulties.

• An expressway just east of the UP tracks.

Bensenville Village Manager Jim Johnson said the County Line Road option would be devastating for people living near there because of noise, road salt and pollution. The construction also would affect Redmond Park.

"It would be a 30-foot wall of highway," Johnson said.

The state transportation department also is considering widening Route 83 south of the Elgin O'Hare to I-290 as an option.

Following the open house, the department will narrow its options and is expected to come out with a draft environmental impact statement in the fall.

In addition to the highway building component, the state is looking to create a separate corridor along the middle of Thorndale for bus or rail services and a transit hub at Thorndale and York roads.

For more details about the project, visit elginohare-westbypass.org or call (847) 705-4103.

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