WASHINGTON, Ill. — A recent public meeting allowed area residents – many of them farmers – an opportunity to comment on six corridor alignments being considered for the proposed Eastern Bypass project. The 25- to 30-mile extension would connect Illinois Route 6 and Interstates 74-474 in the Peoria area with I-74 east of the Illinois River, creating a virtual “ring” road around Peoria.

Proponents, including U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) – who succeeded LaHood in that job – claim this will increase commerce and stimulate business development in the area. Construction of the Eastern Bypass would require farmers and other rural landowners to sacrifice some of the 720,000 tillable acres of rich farmland in neighboring Tazewell and Woodford counties east of the Illinois River from Peoria.

Data provided by the Tri-County (Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford) Regional Planning Commission states for each mile of interstate constructed, up to 40 acres of land is taken out of use, meaning the entire project could consume 1,000 to 1,200 acres of farmland.

Following the Sept. 15 public meeting in Washington, Ill. (Tazewell County), Ken Maurer, a member of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Study Team and Community Advisory Group (CAG) for the Eastern Bypass project, talked about area farmers’ reactions to the six proposed corridors – recently narrowed down from 20.

“Some farmers are very concerned that the highway will split their farms,” Maurer said. “If they’ve got livestock, how will they get them across the highway? Grain farmers also have to get equipment over or under the highway.

“The farmers are mixed in terms of what (the bypass) is going to do for them. Many don’t want to give up their valuable farmland; they want to pass it on to their grandchildren, for instance. Others see it as an opportunity to make money.”

The general public seems to have mixed opinions as well, according to Maurer, who is the superintendent of Metamora Community High School in Woodford County. “Most are probably still seeking information. I think the majority are for the (road), but only if it is not going through their property.”

A segment of the local population is against developing the Eastern Bypass at all, he added, at least until IDOT selects a final corridor and alignment from the remaining six options under consideration.

“One thing I’m hearing is that the public would really like to see IDOT move the process forward to where they’ve got a final route in mind. These folks could then begin to plan for the future. Homeowners have delayed their own projects such as remodeling and other projects. There is a lot of hesitation out there,” said Maurer.

“Until people know where that final route is, they have a hard time coming down either for or against the bypass project.”

According to Pete Streid, a CAG member who farms along both sides of Illinois Route 116 between Metamora and Germantown Hills, no matter which of the remaining six route options IDOT selects, rich farmland in his area – perhaps his own – would have to be sacrificed for the project. Streid said the majority of farmers he has spoken with are against it.

“I’ve rarely talked to a farmer that supports this road,” said Streid, whose family has lived on and farmed the same property since around 1860. “Not just because they don’t want their own farmland impacted ... there is a (segment) that doesn’t want any farmland, especially the higher-producing soils, impacted. That’s pretty general throughout the farming community.”

Like Maurer, he feels most farmers and residents who support the road are “outside the impact area.” Streid echoes the sentiments of many in the area who are calling for the Eastern Bypass project to be scrapped, questioning the positive financial impact the completed road would have on the tri-county region.

“My thought on this proposed road is that it will be for local traffic and not to take pressure off any existing interstates. I’m not convinced, without seeing more evidence, that we need an interstate-type highway bisecting the eastern side of the river just to carry local traffic,” Streid said. “This road would be for creating new development only.”

He said he promotes investments in upgrades to existing roads and highways as “more cost-effective and capable of accomplishing the same thing” as the proposed Eastern Bypass.

If the project gets approval, it will probably take approximately 10 years before land purchases begin. Streid is hopeful IDOT will announce a final corridor selection by the end of 2012. This would be followed by the development of a specific road alignment and a final “build-or-no build” decision before talk of appropriations for land purchases and road construction could begin.

“Full speed ahead, they won’t be turning dirt for another 10 years,” he predicted.

Meanwhile, IDOT will continue to host public input meetings as developments dictate, as a way to keep landowners and others involved in the process. “I think IDOT is going out their way to make sure everyone has a chance to offer their input,” said Maurer.

The Eastern Bypass was supported LaHood and is now championed by his successor, Schock. Schock, a member of the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee, said last year the project could be facilitated by the passage of a federal highway bill.

Central Illinois farmers wishing to add their opinion or receive more information on the Eastern Bypass project may contact IDOT’s Mike Lewis at 309-671-3333. A website for the project has been established at www.easternbypass.com