Question 1

What is this study?

Accepted Answer

IL 173 at Keystone Road is a transportation study being conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a federal act that ensures projects consider their impacts to the natural, social and built environments.

Question 2

Where does this study take place?

Accepted Answer

IL 173 runs through northern McHenry County, near the Wisconsin/Illinois border. Keystone Road intersects with IL 173 just west of Richmond, IL.

Question 3

Why is this study taking place?

Accepted Answer

Historical crash data has identified a notable pattern of crashes including severe injury crashes.

Question 4

What does a Phase I study entail?

Accepted Answer

Typical components of Phase I include: 
Data collection
Identification of transportation issues and concerns
Development of a range of alternatives
Identification of the preferred alternative and its refinement
The approval of an environmental and engineering report which summarizes the study

Question 5

What happens after Phase I?

Accepted Answer

Following the conclusion of Phase I, the project may advance to Phase II: Contract Plan Preparation and Land Acquisition, and Phase III: Construction, if funding for these phases is available. At this time, only Phase I is funded.

Question 6

When will construction start?

Accepted Answer

This Phase I study was initiated in 2023 and is anticipated to conclude in 2026. Pending conclusion of Phase I, Phase II (contract plan preparation & land acquisition), and Phase III (construction) will follow. Please note that only Phase I is funded at this time.

Question 7

What is NEPA?

Accepted Answer

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal act that ensures projects consider their impacts to the natural, social and built environments. The purpose of NEPA is to ensure that environmental factors are weighted equally when compared to other factors in the decision-making process. For Federal Funding Eligibility, NEPA compliance is required.

Question 8

How can I get involved?

Accepted Answer

Stakeholder feedback is critical to this study. Interested stakeholders have the opportunity to participate in a Stakeholder Working Group, attend Virtual Public Outreach Events as well as provide their input at any point in the study process. Please visit the Get Involved page for more details.

Question 9

Will there be bicycle and pedestrian accommodations?

Accepted Answer

IDOT follows Complete Streets law. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are evaluated as part of every Phase I study.

Information
Center

Current Materials

Frequently asked questions

What is this study?

Where does this study take place?

Why is this study taking place?

What does a Phase I study entail?

What happens after Phase I?

When will construction start?

What is NEPA?

How can I get involved?

Will there be bicycle and pedestrian accommodations?

Information Center

Current Materials

Frequently asked questions

What is this study?

Where does this study take place?

Why is this study taking place?

What does a Phase I study entail?

What happens after Phase I?

When will construction start?

What is NEPA?

How can I get involved?

Will there be bicycle and pedestrian accommodations?

Information
Center