Picture a bustling corridor where the past meets the future—a lifeline for industry, a gateway for tourism, and a front door to a vibrant community life. On July 11, 2024, America's Central Port hosted the first aRT3 Advisory Committee meeting. The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to chart a course for a safer, more vibrant, and economically robust Route 3. Here are the key highlights and takeaways from the meeting.
The meeting began with a warm welcome and introductions from the attendees, who included representatives from IDOT, local businesses, and various stakeholders from the community. Each participant shared one thing they would change to make Route 3 safer and improve its image. This exercise set the tone for a collaborative and insightful session.
Below is an overview of Illinois Route 3's existing conditions, followed by a summary of the feedback provided from the meeting. You can download the full summary here.
Existing Conditions:
Jobs and Economy
Route 3 supports approximately 4,500 jobs, with almost 20% of Madison County’s manufacturing jobs located along this corridor. The area serves as a vital link for regional economic activity.
Tourism and Communities
The corridor connects several Illinois and Missouri destinations and passes through Granite City, Madison, and Venice, with a combined population exceeding 32,000 residents.
Transportation and Safety
The route handles an average of 10,000-15,000 vehicles per day, with nearly 20% being truck traffic. Safety concerns were highlighted, with most accidents occurring at intersections due to failing to yield, speeding, and disregarding traffic signals.
Attending Advisory Committee Members:
Rich Barbee, IDOT
Sam Beelman, Beelman Truck Company Kirk Brown, IDOT
Rosemarie Brown, Chamber of Commerce Southwestern Madison County
Amy Elik, State Representative 111th District
Erica Harriss, State Senator 56th District
Dennis Heepke, Moreland Properties
Jessica Iberg, Riechmann Transport Inc
Michelle Khani, Dynamic Transit Company
Gwen Lagemann, IDOT
SJ Morrison, Madison County Transit
John Nations, Doster Nations Ullom & Boyle, LLC
Paul Wellhausen, Retired VP, SCF Lewis & Clark
Bryan Werner, Metro East Parks and Recreation District
Brenda Whitaker, Granite City Business Owner
Dennis Wilmsmeyer, America's Central Port
Christie Voelker, America's Central Port
Stephen Ibendahl, i5Group
Katie McLaughlin, i5Group
MaryAnn Taylor-Crate, Added Dimension
Kayla Allen, Added Dimension
Tom Cissell, Oates Associates
Meridith McKinley, VIA Partnership
Questions & Summary of Key Points
What one thing would you change to make Route 3 safer?
Intersections: Improve the design and management of intersections. Consider reducing the number of stoplights. Facilitate better traffic flow and manage intersections more effectively.
Enforcement: Increase police presence and strengthen traffic enforcement measures.
Distracted Driving: Address issues related to distracted driving.
Road Conditions: Improve pavement quality.
Traffic Calming: Slow down driving traffic and reduce distractions.
Bike and Pedestrian Access: Improve access to trails, like the Confluence Trail, and ensure safer connections for bikers and pedestrians.
What one thing would you change to improve the image of Route 3?
Transit Enhancements: Improve bus stops, potentially adding covered stops, and collaborate with nearby bike trails. Address safety issues and enhance the overall area appearance.
Maintenance and Cleanliness: Increase efforts in mowing, trash pickup, and reducing litter.
Landscaping: Enhance landscaping efforts.
Public Art: Introduce public art to improve the visual appeal.
Community Image: Respect the corridor's industrial heritage, but also look for opportunities to celebrate other aspects of the community.
Pavement and Road: Improve pavement quality and patch potholes to enhance the overall image. Address debris falling off trucks.
What other transportation concerns or needs should be noted?
Speed of Traffic: Anecdotal observations of vehicular speeds along the corridor are 10+ mph over the posted speed limit. Some sections see 75+ mph.
Intersections: A review of crash data shows that most crashes occur at intersections. Specific concerns mentioned by attendees:
Traffic on side streets to Route 3 often edges out into traffic.
Left turn yield at the Pontoon Road intersection.
Lack of good visibility at the North Street intersection.
Vehicles run the light at Rock Road frequently.
Trucks coming over the overpass near the port, when they can't (or don’t) stop, will blow on the horn to run the intersection.
Ideas and Suggestions:
The need for traffic enforcement was frequently mentioned.
Potential to improve traffic signal timing.
Would lowering the speed make traffic flow more efficient (and safer)? People (truckers) would rather drive the distance at a slower speed (i.e., 45 mph) than slam on the brakes at intersections.
IDOT mentioned that while enforcement would be most effective, tools to enhance it could also calm traffic. Road diets and traffic calming would also benefit bikes and pedestrians.
Conclusion
The first aRT3 Advisory Committee meeting was very productive, laying the groundwork for future improvements to Route 3. By addressing safety, enhancing visual appeal, and fostering economic growth, the Route 3 corridor can become a safer and more attractive area for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Stay tuned for updates and progress on this vital regional project.
For more information and to stay updated on the aRT3 Planning Study, visit www.aRT3Plan.com.