Public hearing on Longmeadow Parkway project set for Aug. 30

The Kane County Division of Transportation is conducting a public hearing on the Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road in Elgin.

It offers stakeholders the opportunity to review information and provide comments upon an Environmental Assessment Reevaluation. It has been prepared to assess the impacts of changes in the project area, new information, and new circumstances that arose after issuance of the 2002 Record of Decision and the 2009 written re-evaluation.

Longmeadow Parkway is a new highway between Huntley Road/Boyer Road and Route 62 and a new bridge crossing over the Fox River in Kane County. The length of this improvement from western terminus to eastern terminus is approximately 5.6 miles, with another 3.7 miles of intersecting road improvements.

The Environmental Assessment Reevaluation evaluates changes in impacts within the project area, including socio-economic, agricultural, historic properties, air quality, Section 4(f) resources, noise, natural resources, water quality, groundwater, floodplains, wetlands, special waste, and special lands.

It was posted on July 29, which begins the comment period. It can be viewed at the project website at www.co.kane.il.us/dot/foxBridges/longmeadowPkwy.aspx and is available for viewing at public facilities.

Comments received through Sept. 6 will become part of the public hearing record. For a complete listing of viewing locations, please visit the project website.

After the public review and comment period, the Federal Highway Administration will either determine a Supplemental EIS is required based on new significant impacts or it will issue a "Finding of No Significant Impact" if no new significant impacts are identified.

The public hearing will be an open house format, and interested persons may attend anytime between 4 and 8 p.m. There will be a continuous audiovisual presentation. The public is encouraged to attend to review exhibits and comment on the EA.

Attendees are encouraged to provide verbal or written testimony to a court reporter to be included in the public record and speak to the Kane County Division of Transportation and project team members on a one-on-one basis. A public forum will be held at 6 p.m. where the public is invited to make a two-minute statement to be included in the public record.

For information about the project, or to submit your written comments, contact Kane County Division of Transportation, Attn: Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor, 41W011 Burlington Road, St. Charles, IL 60175; (630) 584-1170 or longmeadowcomments@co.kane.il.us.