I-80 Safety Must Be Addressed Now: Town Hall Crowd

JOLIET, IL - The threat of freezing rain did not stop more than 150 people from traveling to the University of St. Francis campus on Thursday night for a first-ever town hall discussion to address the dangerous I-80 corridor from New Lenox, through Joliet, to Shorewood and Minooka. Sadly, just last week came another fatality when Angela Dominguez of Bradley was killed near the Minooka interchange in a crash involving a 2017 Freightliner box truck. She was only 27.

Several politicians attended the Moser Performing Arts Center forum including Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk, Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Senator Pat McGuire and Representative Natalie Manley among many others. "Attending the I-80 information meeting at St. Francis, hosted by WJOL and RUSH. This stretch from New Lenox thru Minooka needs to be dealt with," New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann posted on Facebook. "The number of fatalities and serious crashes, along with crumbling bridges and infrastructure, are among the worst in the State and haven't been addressed for decades."

The most jarring statistics came from Mary Craighead of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute. Her report analyzed a 16-mile stretch of I-80 from between Ridge Road and U.S. 30.

• A total of 37 fatal crashes occurred between 2001 and 2016.
• The roadway is largely two lanes each way and has multiple narrow bridges lacking shoulders.
• Motorists must drop their speeds to 55 mph between U.S. 30 and Joliet's Larkin Avenue and 45 mph east of U.S. 52.
• Approximately 20 percent of the total traffic volume consists of heavy trucks.
• Compared to I-80 near Tinley Park, the Joliet-New Lenox-Minooka stretch of I-80 "consistently has higher fatal and overall crash rates."
• Crash rates are greater and more consistent near Joliet's Center Street and Route 53.

During audience participation, event moderator Scott Slocum of WJOL asked Illinois State Police officials about immediate, short-term solutions to reduce the death toll along I-80.

"More troopers help. We are understaffed. We have (recruit) classes going through now, but still, our staffing is going to take quite some time to catch up," the State Police official responded, adding that efforts to address the traffic congestion near Richards Street and Route 53 would also be a huge welcome.

Here's some additional data from Craighead's research:

• By 2040, the populations for Will and Kendall Counties stand to climb by 76 percent and 100 percent respectively.

• The amount of land used for industrial and warehouse/distribution centers has increased between 2001 and 2013.
• Minooka and Shorewood grew at rates 175 percent and 103 percent respectively between 2000 and 2010.

"I-80 near Joliet is a prime example of a roadway in desperate need of improvements," she wrote in her report. "Future growth is only going worsen the roadway's conditions and put further stress on residents and businesses. As policymakers continue to debate new infrastructure funding solutions, roadways like I-80 should remain at the forefront of their minds."

Afterward, Joliet Patch spoke with Slocum for his impressions on whether the first-ever event like this accomplished its mission. "I think it was great. It got everybody talking," he said.

He advocates for the Illinois Department of Transportation officials to erect signs along the I-80 corridor around Joliet, perhaps approaching Larkin Avenue or Houbolt Road.

"I think after we'll see some temporary 'Dangerous Area Ahead' signage," Slocum said. "We should treat this as a dangerous construction zone."

Thursday night's speakers included Randy Blankenhorn, secretary of Illinois Department of Transportation and Kevin Artl, chief operating officer of the Illinois Tollway.

Slocum also envisions coming back in the spring with a follow up town hall forum. "Let's get an update and hold their feet to the fire," he said.

Images via John Ferak, Patch Editor for Joliet, New Lenox and Bolingbrook