Discussion of Irene Road purchase:
Tonight I will vote “yes” for the land acquisition for an “on ramp” to Chicago. Please do not consider that as my endorsement for any further toll way land acquisitions. The Illinois Toll Way provided generous concessions for this portion of the interchange. The toll way authority limited county/city financial responsibility for the “on ramp to Chicago”. Only land acquisitions and preliminary engineering costs must be paid locally; the toll way will pay 100% of the construction. In addition the toll way authority will be replacing an overpass bridge which is the county’s responsibility to replace; that structure has reached half of its useful life. Thus in terms of costs this portion of the project entails nearly equivalent current cash outlays for future cost savings for the county.
Before a decision should be made for the full interchange the public needs to know more. There needs to be a greater opportunity for the public to input their opinions regarding this project. .
There is an upcoming city election. Perhaps a full interchange versus partial interchange could be one of the subjects of candidate debates.
BILL PYSSON
