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2021/11/29 - Mayor's Column: More Transportation Projects Coming Up

­“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
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The City of O’Fallon has all but wrapped up our road construction projects for the year. But that doesn’t mean that our Public Works Staff is slowing down on working to improve the flow of traffic in and around the city.

The two major highways that service O’Fallon (Route 50 and I-64) will both see some major overhauls in the next few years. Much of the credit is due to the persistence of our Director of Public Works, Jeff Taylor.

If you are tired of dodging potholes on Rt. 50 you will like the first one. This project will take place next summer with a resurfacing of Route 50 from near Marie Shaefer School to the intersection of Rt. 50 and the Scott/Troy Rd. This project is expected to be completed by the Illinois Department of Transportation by late August of next year.

The second project that will take about three to four years to complete is the widening of I-64 through O’Fallon to three lanes in both directions. This means that that I-64 will now be six lanes from about Rieder Road on the east end of O’Fallon on through to Fairview Heights.

In addition, there is a tentative approval of sound barriers being installed along the residential areas on the north side of I-64. The final approval of this will be if it is approved by the residents that live near I-64. When the State moves into more advanced plans, they will ask the effected residents to vote on this. If the residents vote for it, it will occur. We will keep you advised of when and how you can vote on this.

I know that this is something that many of the residents along the interstate have wanted for years. Many of these areas were in the Ward that I served as a Council member, and I would hear about it from the residents as I would walk the ward each year.  It continues to be an issue brought forth by the current Council Members: Todd Roach and Stephanie Smallheer.

In addition to the widening and the sound barriers, there will be significant improvements to the exit ramps at Greenmount Road. This should improve the flow of traffic exiting I-64 onto Greenmount.

We also attempted to get a walking and biking lane on the overhead at Greenmount but we have been told that this will not occur.

As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open.