Additional I-64 Construction
To add to the mix of lane additions from O’Fallon to Caseyville, the repairs to the bridge decks of South Lincoln Street and Main Street between O’Fallon and Shiloh, and overlay/shoulder work to the east of O’Fallon, IDOT is going to improve Exit 14 (near Sam’s Club). The work includes the addition of a right-turn lane to the eastbound off-ramp onto Highway 50, an addition of a left-turn lane from Highway 50 onto the westbound on-ramp, and widening of all the on-ramps and off-ramps to allow for safer turning movements at the Interchange. Please beware of delays in those areas and drive safely.
Elm/Orchard Mine Subsidence Repairs
In 1999, the neighborhood near Elm and Orchard Streets (just south of the O’Fallon Fire Station on Highway 50) experienced a significant mine subsidence event. As a result of the subsidence, the City’s infrastructure has been damaged and needs to be replaced. The City has received a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for some of the replacement of the water mains and sanitary sewer mains in the area.
The project will eliminate the temporary sanitary sewer lift station that was installed in 1998 to maintain sewer flow for the neighborhood. The project will also replace approximately 3,000 feet of sanitary sewer mains, 1,100 feet of water mains, and 1,200 feet of roadway resurfacing. Installation of new sanitary sewer lines in the area will eliminate a significant amount of inflow and infiltration (I&I) of groundwater into the City’s sanitary sewer system. I&I can overload the City’s sanitary sewer collection system and potentially cause sewer back-ups in homes as the existing pipes are overwhelmed by flow within them.
When will construction begin? Bids will be opened in early January 2006. Construction is expected to begin in February or March and last through early fall of 2006.
Railroad Crossings
Unfortunately, O’Fallon (as well as all other communities that have RR crossings), is apparently at the mercy of the railroad when it comes to repairs of their crossings. We regret that many of our citizens have been inconvenienced by the poor condition of the Venita and Obernuefemann crossings for a long time.
Last year we were fortunate to get CSX Railroad to be in town long enough while our pavement overlay program was in full swing to get the Smiley, Vine, Lincoln, Cherry, and Oak crossings repaired. Amazing, as CSX had only committed to be around for the Smiley and Lincoln crossing repairs! Of course, that didn’t help those motorists using the Old Collinsville, Venita and Obernuefemann crossings. This past Spring, the railroad magically appeared at Old Collinsville Road for repairs there, giving only a two day notice. At that time, they promised to be back in the summer for a massive tie replacement program and the repair of Venita and Obernuefemann crossings. From that time on our only communication with the railroad (despite calls to their management) was with their work crews who knew they were coming back
to O’Fallon to do the crossing repairs, but did not know when. In late September, the crews divulged that they would be here in November, and had to re-do the Oak crossing due to a rail problem and adjust the State Street crossing as well as repair Venita and Obernuefemann. Let’s hope all these crossing repairs remain intact for a long time.
City Road Projects
Coming this spring and summer is a number of large road projects. Simmons Road between Fairwood Hills Drive and Kyle Road will be reconstructed. The completed roadway will be curbed and a sidewalk will be placed down the east side of the section. State Street will be overlaid from near Obernuefemann to Carson, and Lincoln will be reconstructed from near Washington to Jefferson. In addition, another season of overlay work on streets in several neighborhoods will occur.
Storm Water Advisory Committee
A committee comprised of 13 citizen members has met three times during the last several months to consider the direction that the O’Fallon storm water program should take in addressing the areas problems. They have worked through how funding should be used to support compliance with regulatory programs, master planning, regulation of new development, maintenance and capital construction. They have also tackled how to fund the program. A report of their deliberations and findings should be available by February 2006
Obernuefemann and State Roundabout
The City of O’Fallon recently held an informational meeting on the roundabout that will be constructed at the intersection of State Street and Oberneufemann Road. Members of the City’s Engineering Department and the City’s consultant, Horner-Shifrin, Inc., were on hand to discuss the details of the project and answer questions presented by the attendees. Preliminary plans, aerial images and simulated videos of vehicles traversing the new roundabout were on display. During the evening, many questions and concerns were raised about the project. Below are some of those comments and responses.
Why not traffic signals?
The initial construction costs of the roundabout are very similar to that of a traffic signal for this location. The installation of a traffic signal capable of handling the traffic volume at this intersection would require additional traffic lanes and interconnection circuits with the CSX rail signals. With the roundabout, the City will not have to maintain expensive signals or need to pay the electrical bills for the signals over the 20-year project design life. Funding through a state or federal program would also likely not be available for traffic signals. Through the use of the roundabout, the City will receive a federal grant to pay for 65% of the project cost.
What was the feedback from attendees?
Overall, the staff and consultants received positive feedback from the attendees. One question in particular was repeatedly asked: “How does the roundabout work with the close proximity of the railroad on Obernuefemann?” The roundabout will not solve the problem of traffic congestion due to trains sitting idle for long periods of time at the crossing. However, the roundabout will improve the situation when compared to: (1) the current status of the intersection, (2) traffic signals, or (3) stop signs. The roundabout will have a mountable truck and emergency vehicle apron to allow for emergency vehicles to traverse through the intersection when congestion occurs.
How will the project be paid for?
The City of O’Fallon received a $329,000 federal grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the construction of this improvement. The roundabout will be based on IDOT’s analysis that shows substantially reduced traffic congestion at this intersection and therefore, reduced auto emissions. Because of the reduced auto emissions, the project received funds through the state and federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) program.
When will construction begin?
According to IDOT, funding becomes available on July 1, 2006. The project bids will be received shortly thereafter and construction should begin in late 2006.
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