Politics & Government

Stolman Excited About New Route 53 Advisory Panel

Blue Ribbon Advisory Council is charged with reaching consensus on the northern extension of Route 53 into Lake County.

Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman expressed excitement regarding the announcement from Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur about the formation of the Illinois Route 53 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council.

The panel, which will be made up of diverse stakeholders, is charged with reaching consensus on the northern extension of Route 53 into Lake County. This would include recommending a series of best practices for an integrated, multi-modal corridor that is financially viable, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible. Lafleur made the recommendation Thursday at the meeting of the Illinois Tollway Board.

"Lake County has been working with the Tollway for several years, requesting that it give consideration to this critical transportation project that will impact the entire region," Stolman said. "I am thankful and thrilled that the Tollway is considering this as a priority capital project and has created this panel to reach consensus. Traffic congestion is a significant issue in Lake County. This extension will greatly help our economy, including bringing new businesses and jobs to our area, as well as improve the quality of life for residents. This is great news and gives us momentum to finally move this project forward."

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The extension of Route 53 would be from Lake-Cook Road to Interstate 94. In April 2009, 76 percent of Lake County voters supported the future extension of Route 53 in an advisory referendum.

This project has been identified as a priority regional transportation improvement project in numerous plans over the last several years.

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In the "Go To 2040" regional plan, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) indentified the Route 53 extension as the improvement that would have the highest congestion reduction benefits of all of the 52 major highway and transit projects that were examined. 

In addition, it is a major capital project that will maximize regional benefits of mobility and economic development, and specifically improve access and mobility in the county and our region as a whole. GO TO 2040 calls for a 21st Century urban highway — a "modern boulevard" with a smaller footprint to minimize potential negative impacts, while protecting the natural environment and preserving the character of nearby communities.

— Submitted by the Lake County Board


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