Comprehensive transportation study under way in Plainfield
By Madhu Mayer For The Herald-News September 11, 2012 8:54AM
Updated: October 14, 2012 1:23PM
PLAINFIELD — The process has started to drive a comprehensive transportation project in the village of Plainfield.
The goal of the project, funded by a $120,000 grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, is to consider the soon-to-be completed comprehensive plan updates, previously completed traffic studies and incorporate all of them into a single, more manageable document.
The study will also look at current and future land uses with additional consideration provided for the historic downtown, said Randall Jessen, superintendent of public improvements.
This particular project, he said, requires the consultant team to work with staff, elected officials and the public. The project is scheduled for completion by June 2013, with the next public meeting scheduled for Nov. 14.
During an informational meeting at Cruise Night on Aug. 21 in downtown Plainfield, Jessen said the public was encouraged to provide comments in either written or electronic format at www.plainfieldtransportation.com.
So far, the village has collected about 50 responses.
Input from local agencies, such as the Plainfield Police Department, regarding safe routes to schools have also been solicited.
Suggestions include:
Better pavement markings for drivers at Route 59 and Lockport Street.
More crosswalks on Lockport Street.
Extending 143rd Street from Route 126 to Route 59.
Adding a Metra station.
These types of suggestions, Trustee Margie Bonuchi said, is what the village needs.
Trustee Paul Fay agreed that the project gives the village opportunity to address the traffic patterns of old country roads, like near Rolf and Lily Cache, which has seen increase in traffic over the years.
