2008 Woodie Awards
Caution: changes ahead
Governors Parkway to expand
Molly Balkenbush
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: News
This January, Madison County and Illinois Department of Transportation will coordinate a roadwork project on Governors Parkway that will connect state Route 159 and state Route 143.
"In essence, it will be a connector between Highway 55 and the campus," Director of Public Affairs Greg Conroy said. "It wont actually go all the way to 55 but if you get off on the 143 exit you will not have to drive all throughout town."
When constructed, the new three-lane Governors Parkway will be very similar to the road between state Route 157 and Plum Street.
"Our plan is to try and have the road open from Troy Road, which is the old 159, down to district drive, where the new elementary school is coming in," City Assistant Engineer Eric Williams said. "At this point we are trying to get the road open hopefully by school time, if we don't make it by school time hopefully it will be sometime during the fall."
According to Williams, the new Governors Parkway will dramatically speed up the arrival time for students and staff that are coming from the Highland-Marine area.
"Instead of those people having to go through town they will be able to take Governors Parkway straight into the university," he said.
When SIUE was first developed this project was expected to take place but it was later decided that it was not needed.
"They really didn't think we needed to add a roadway," Williams said. "I'm not sure if it was because of lack of funds or other things, but when the Edwardsville High School opened up (they) decided we really needed it."
Richard Walker, 7th Ward Alderman, said this project is one out of three of the most significant projects in Illinois and also the history of the community.
"Anybody that has lived (in Edwardsville) for more than five years can tell you how horrible it was sitting on Troy Road," he said. "You do not have to do that anymore, not in Edwardsville."
Walker said with good construction weather the new road should be complete by November of next year, about an 11-month construction schedule. Illinois Department of Transportation is funding the project, which will cost more than $16 million.
"Other than a few intersections it will be a straight shot, no more waiting on Goshen Road in traffic," Walker said. "For people living in the southeast part of town, they will be able to get to the university quicker than they ever have been able to."
"In essence, it will be a connector between Highway 55 and the campus," Director of Public Affairs Greg Conroy said. "It wont actually go all the way to 55 but if you get off on the 143 exit you will not have to drive all throughout town."
When constructed, the new three-lane Governors Parkway will be very similar to the road between state Route 157 and Plum Street.
"Our plan is to try and have the road open from Troy Road, which is the old 159, down to district drive, where the new elementary school is coming in," City Assistant Engineer Eric Williams said. "At this point we are trying to get the road open hopefully by school time, if we don't make it by school time hopefully it will be sometime during the fall."
According to Williams, the new Governors Parkway will dramatically speed up the arrival time for students and staff that are coming from the Highland-Marine area.
"Instead of those people having to go through town they will be able to take Governors Parkway straight into the university," he said.
When SIUE was first developed this project was expected to take place but it was later decided that it was not needed.
"They really didn't think we needed to add a roadway," Williams said. "I'm not sure if it was because of lack of funds or other things, but when the Edwardsville High School opened up (they) decided we really needed it."
Richard Walker, 7th Ward Alderman, said this project is one out of three of the most significant projects in Illinois and also the history of the community.
"Anybody that has lived (in Edwardsville) for more than five years can tell you how horrible it was sitting on Troy Road," he said. "You do not have to do that anymore, not in Edwardsville."
Walker said with good construction weather the new road should be complete by November of next year, about an 11-month construction schedule. Illinois Department of Transportation is funding the project, which will cost more than $16 million.
"Other than a few intersections it will be a straight shot, no more waiting on Goshen Road in traffic," Walker said. "For people living in the southeast part of town, they will be able to get to the university quicker than they ever have been able to."
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Armand
posted 8/07/08 @ 10:30 PM CST
The stretch of Governor's Parkway from Troy Road to District Drive officially opened today on August 7, 2008-10 days before the deadline. It's nice being able to drive from Troy Road to Gerber Road and not have to even change roads. (Continued…)
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