Public meeting for U.S. 30 in Morrison on July 21

MORRISON - The Illinois Department of Transportation will host a public meeting on Tuesday, July 21, for the proposed reconstruction and improvements to U.S. 30 from west of Illinois 78 north to Jackson Street in Morrison in Whiteside County. The event will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison St., Morrison.

This meeting will be held in an open house format with no formal presentation. The public is invited to attend at any time during the hours listed to view exhibits and maps detailing existing conditions and potential improvement alternatives, speak with project representatives, ask questions and share feedback.

U.S. 30 is a principal arterial in the IDOT road network and an important east-west corridor through the city of Morrison. The pavement was originally constructed in the 1930s. IDOT initiated the project study to evaluate rehabilitation and reconstruction concepts because of the poor condition of the existing road.

Proposed corridor improvements include:

Section 106:

The Lincoln/Reagan Highway Scenic Corridor, Morrison's Historic Preservation Business District and the Historic Preservation Residential Hill District may be affected by the proposed project. These resources will be evaluated through the historic resources protection process in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

Parks, recreation areas and refuges (Section 4(f)):

The proposed project would involve use of land from City Park and park property that is bound by U.S. 30, Harmony Street and Union Street. Proposed improvements to the curbs and gutters along the perimeter of City Park would temporarily affect park access and aesthetic quality. Temporary impacts to the 0.1-acre City Park are anticipated to measure approximately 0.1 acre. Impacts to the one-acre park are anticipated to measure approximately 0.2 acre. The potential impacts will not affect either of the park's activities, features, or attributes that make the property eligible for Section 4(f) protection. Through publication of this notice, IDOT is requesting the public's views on the proposed use of parkland and on FHWA's intent to make a Section 4(f) de minimus determination.

The project is currently in Phase I, which follows federal guidelines to assess transportation needs, develop and evaluate alternatives, identify and mitigate potential environmental impacts, and gather public input. The goal is to identify a feasible solution that improves safety, mobility, and connectivity while supporting the region's long-term transportation needs. Phase I is expected to conclude in summer 2027.

Public feedback is important to the success of the study. Meeting materials will be posted to project website and comments and question are encouraged. Those received by Wednesday, Aug. 5, will be included in the public meeting record.

Comments may also be mailed to:

Illinois Department of Transportation

District 2 Studies & Plans

819 Depot Ave.

Dixon, IL 61021-3500

Attn: Brad Cushman, Project Manager

Email at [email protected]

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve 7,107 lane miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Six of Rebuild Illinois include almost $20.8 billion of improvements statewide to 21,309 lane miles of highway, 815 bridges and 1,181 additional safety improvements.

For IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT's traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com. ​