Du Page tollway fears told // Hundreds at hearing; environmental impact cited

Hundreds of Du Page County residents last night asked forchanges in the proposed North-South Tollway.

Speaking at a public hearing in Downers Grove held by the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, County Board Chairman Jack T. Knuepfer said,"County government is looking forward to the completion of thisproject."

But other local officials and residents voiced concern about theenvironmental impact of the proposed 17.5-mile tollroad.

"Severe and irreparable harm will be done to high-qualitynatural areas," said Marion T. Hall, director of the MortonArboretum. Hall called for a second, more comprehensive draft of theCorps' environmental-impact statement.

Like other critical statements made during the evening, Hall'sdrew enthusiastic applause.

Woodridge Mayor William Murphy said, "We believe these(environmental) impacts are substantial and the draft environmentalimpact statement is sorely deficient."

Thomas H. Morsch Jr., executive director of the Illinois StateToll Highway Authority, said his agency had already made numerouschanges in its plans to satisfy such concerns.

"I think our sensitivity of planning around the Morton Arboretumis just one example of this approach," Morsch said.

Many local officials said they still have serious concerns aboutthe road, which would extend Illinois 53 south to Interstate 55.

The concerns they cited included traffic problems caused bytemporary or permanent closings of local streets, roadway elevation,noise, water and air pollution, and damage to natural areas.

"We encourage the Corps not to sign off on this proj-ect untilmore is known," said Gary Webster, Glen Ellyn village administrator.

Addison Village Engineer John Verzal asked that a toll plazaplanned in his village be moved farther south. Addison officialshave said the current site will cause traffic jams if the White Soxbuild a stadium in their village.

The Corps will review statements made at the hearing inpreparing its final environmental impact statement. It must issue apermit before the toll highway authority can build bridges acrossstreams or build on wetlands.

Construction is scheduled to begin this fall.