As this article by the Southern points out, we probably won't see 4 lanes on Hwy 127 anytime soon. As I have pointed out in the past, two different IDOT districts intersect at Pickneyville. District 9 encompasses Carbondale and much of the area south of Pickneyville, while District 8 includes Belleville and the East Metro St. Louis region. Money for any expansion north of Pickneyville will have to come from District 8's budget,, which, given the amount of construction going on in the East St. Louis region, is likely low on their totem pole.
And also, who really needs this to happen? I've yet to hear a compelling reason for the work.
ReplyDeleteThough I am not a fan of the 4 lane, one reason for it it to increase access to SIUC's new Aviation Technology facilities at the airport. The department is one of the top ones in the nation and the facilities are expected to match it. Increasing access to it would certainly benefit both the university and the community.
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