What Illiana Expressway?

Residents of northeastern Illinois haven't heard much about the Illiana Expressway proposal, reports the Daily Southtown, even though local Illinois leaders are in favor of the new highway.

The proposed highway remains a favorite of municipal leaders and businesses who favor the economic development it will bring.

Ed Paesel, executive director of the South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association, envisions an expressway south of Monee, running north of the proposed south suburban airport near Peotone and cutting across Illinois 394 along Goodenow Road before reaching I-57.

Paesel said the ongoing widening of the Kingery and Borman expressways will not be enough to handle future traffic volume.

"Every capacity study shows us that in a short number of years, those lanes will be filled up," Paesel said. "There is no room for any more lanes."

And if the path of the Illiana Expressway is not decided soon, the land will be gobbled up by suburban sprawl, he said.

But the motoring public still needs to catch on to the concept.

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