River Road rehab not likely until fall 2010
Worst thing that could happen to a new business expecting a lot of motor traffic?
Road construction.
It's what some Des Plaines officials fear could hurt the city's first casino when it opens in 2011, if the state's planned reconstruction of River Road isn't finished before then.
Total reconstruction of the roughly 4-mile stretch of River Road between Rand Road and Devon Avenue isn't expected to begin until early 2011.
"That would be fairly stupid as far as revenue goes," Des Plaines' 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten said. "That would be total mismanagement."
As part of the planned project, River Road will be raised roughly two feet to act as a buffer against the Des Plaines River, and widened to five lanes only between Touhy Avenue and Devon Avenue.
"That's why we need to get River Road done as soon as possible - to not interfere with the casino, but more importantly to alleviate residents from flooding," Walsten said.
City officials are talking with the Illinois Department of Transportation to get the project moving more quickly, but they're encountering obstacles.
"If IDOT can at least work on the section between Touhy and Devon and separate that out from the rest of the project, then it wouldn't conflict with the opening of the casino," said Tim Oakley, Des Plaines' director of engineering.
"Another thing that might help on that project is perhaps the utilities on River Road could be constructed first before the casino comes in. It has the most impact on traffic when you're digging underground," he said.
The proposed casino will be on more than 20 acres fronting the Tri-State Tollway at the northwest corner of Devon Avenue and River Road.
Oakley said IDOT officials told the city is must wait until River Road reconstruction design plans are approved to make the request for a speedier timetable. The plans are set for approval in March.
The state, though, currently has zero funding available for the $33.5 million in construction and the additional $9.3 million needed to purchase land. That's why shovels likely won't hit the ground until fall 2010.
In the meantime, the state plans to resurface River Road from south of Touhy Avenue to Devon Avenue this spring as a short-term cure to its deteriorating condition. Yet, it currently has no money for that either, IDOT spokeswoman Marisa Kollias said.
Oakley said he expects President Barack Obama's economic stimulus package will free up state funding for River Road reconstruction, even though the project is not directly eligible because it is not "shovel ready."
But as a backup, city officials also are asking casino developer Midwest Gaming & Entertainment whether it would be willing to design and rebuild that section of River Road nearest to the casino site, and later get reimbursed by the state.
"If not that whole stretch between Devon and Touhy, at least what's in front of the casino," Oakley said.
Charles Porter, a development manager for Midwest Gaming, said it's not uncommon for developers to undertake adjoining roadway improvements to help a casino opening.
"We'll endeavor to come up with a solution that works for all of the stakeholders," he said. "Adequate and safe roadway access is very important to any facility serving large numbers of the public. And we are working with Des Plaines and IDOT to see how we can get the needed work done before the casino opening."