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IL ROUTE 15 AND BOND AVENUE IN EAST ST. LOUIS

Background and Goals

Study Background

This Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study is being conducted by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with the assistance of professional consultants. Leading the consultant team is Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC, with support from CDM Smith Inc., Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering, H.W. Lochner, Inc., Thompson Civil, LLC, and Added Dimension, LLC.

IDOT is implementing this process as a means of being intentional in the development and delivery of transportation investments in the community of East St. Louis. This process will allow IDOT to develop and evaluate proposed improvements with the input of a wide range of diverse community stakeholders.

At a Glance

  • Led by IDOT with a multidisciplinary consultant team
  • Focused on IL Route 15 and Bond Avenue in East St. Louis
  • Designed to inform future NEPA and project design phases
  • Built around stakeholder and community input

Why the PEL Matters

The PEL Study is an approach designed to aid in the transportation decision making process that considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning process to minimize redundancies, promote efficient and cost-effective solutions, and enhance project implementation.

It is a community centered process that allows decision makers and stakeholders to first identify potential issues and challenges early ahead of the subsequent National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance and project design phases, and then to develop a range of alternatives to be considered. IDOT and the consultant team will take into consideration feedback received from stakeholder groups as they make decisions for proposed infrastructure improvements on the corridor.

Project development roadmap showing four sequential phases represented by large blue circles connected by an orange arrow pointing right. The phases are PEL Study, Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. A red map pin labeled ‘We are Here’ is positioned above the PEL Study circle to indicate the current stage of the project. The orange arrow below describes the activities associated with each phase: Planning and Environmental Linkages Study under the PEL Study phase; Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies under Phase I; Contract Plan Preparation and Land Acquisition under Phase II; and Construction under Phase III.

Study Area

Aerial map of the East St. Louis, Illinois area showing two highlighted transportation corridors. A blue corridor follows Illinois Route 15 along Broadway and Missouri Avenue from 4th Street on the west to the I‑255 ramps on the east. A green corridor follows Bond Avenue from 13th Street on the west to Illinois Route 163 on the east. The map labels major streets, rail lines, rail yards, Interstate 55, Interstate 64, Interstate 255, Metrolink, and nearby landmarks. An inset map marks the project location within Illinois, with a north arrow and scale bar.
Study Area

The PEL Study focuses on the corridor that includes IL Route 15 (locally referred to as Missouri Avenue) between I-255 and I-55, and Bond Avenue between IL Route 163 and 8th Street. A mix of heavy industrial, residential, and commercial land uses characterize this corridor. There are also intermittent vacant structures and lots along the corridor, as well as various types of intersections, including 2-way and 4-way stops.

Please click here for a larger image of the study area.

Goals of This Effort

While previous studies have taken place, this PEL Study provides an opportunity to take a fresh look at the needs for transportation improvements in the study area along IL Route 15 and Bond Avenue. Rather than repeat previous approaches, the PEL process will consider a broader set of regional routes and apply community-developed framework.

By integrating lessons learned and directly addressing prior limitations, the current effort can move toward viable, community-supported solutions that improve safety, mobility, and quality of life in East St. Louis.

Historic planning exhibit related to land use and transportation in the study area.

Stay Informed on the Study

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