Project Outline

Progress to Date

The team has involved community leaders and the public to determine the purpose for the project, based on the needs of the community. This has been done through coordination with local leaders and informational meetings for the public, and has provided a basis to offer input for project consideration.

Project Status

The project team made baseline surveys of the project study area including taking traffic counts, topographic survey, and submitted requests to IDOT to perform environmental surveys. This baseline data was used to identify deficiencies in the system.

A range of alternatives were developed, including a "no-build" alternative. The potential impacts of each of the alternatives were studied. Potential impacts include environmental impacts of the construction itself and of the automobile traffic through the corridor, impacts on cultural and historical sites, and cost impacts of the project.

A single preferred alternative was selected from the range of alternates that were identified and studied. This alternative was presented to the public in the EA (Environmental Assessment). The public was allowed to make comments on the preferred alternate and the preliminary engineering process at the December 15, 2009 Public Hearing. Comments obtained at this public hearing were incorporated into the Design Report and the report was submitted to IDOT and FHWA for design approval. 

On October 14, 2010 the Federal Highway Administration executed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).  On January 4, 2011, IDOT executed the Design Report. 

Construction

Construction of the Red Gate Bridge Project is planned in 2011-2013.  The first of two construction phased contracts were let in Spring 2011.  Construction of Phase one was initiated in August 2011.  Herlihy Mid-Continent Company, the phase one construction contractor, is performing tree removal and mass earthwork, construct stormwater detention and construct the bridge over the existing Fox River Pedestrain/Bike Trail.  Phase two construction will commence in Spring 2012.  For the weekly construction update and photos, please see the Red Gate Bridge Website Home page.