POSHARD PROMOTES FOUR-LANE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ROAD

CARTERVILLE, Ill. -- U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard and Illinois Sen. Ralph Dunn have joined forces in efforts to promote a four-lane highway from the Carbondale/Marion area to the St. Louis area.

Poshard, a Carterville Democrat said last week he would attempt to include funds for a feasibility study in the federal transportation bill.

"Without a study, nothing will ever happen," said Poshard, from his Washington office. "There has long been a need for a four-lane highway to the St. Louis area."

Sen. Dunn agreed.

"Efforts to get a four-lane highway to the Metro East area have been discussed for years," said the DuQuoin Republican. "But, with tight federal funds and even tighter state funds, prospects of freeing up funds for the project in the future look dismal."

Poshard and Dunn agree that the best bet now is a toll-road concept.

Poshard said it would take about $350,000 to do a study. "I will try to get that amount in the transportation bill this year," he said.

"A four-lane highway would be a big economic boost for the entire region," said Poshard. "It would attract new industry, and keep existing industry from moving away. It's something we need to get on with in a hurry. Even if such a project is 10 to 12 years down the road, we need to see a plan for it."

Dunn recently introduced a bill to establish a toll road authority in the southwest Illinois area, but has since dropped the bill.

"We learned that an area toll road authority would not be necessary," said Dunn. "The Illinois Toll Authority, which has put in Northern Illinois toll roads, could do the same for our area, and would be willing to conduct the feasibility study once funds were obtained for it."

Dunn added that representatives of the toll group would be in Carbondale May 31 to discuss the toll road idea.

Both Poshard and Dunn admit that the feasibility of the project rests largely on the conversion of Scott Air Force Base into a joint-use facility, which would provide an even bigger need for a four-lane highway into the southern Illinois area.

"The Scott Air Force Base decision will not be made until some time after the environmental impact study is completed in September," said Dunn. "But, we're optimistic that the decision will be forthcoming.

"If we can get feasibility study funds in tact, the study could get under way within a year," said Dunn.

The project has the support of a five-county organization Southwestern Illinois Freeway Team (SWIFT), which has been working to generate interest in extending Interstate 24 from its end south of Marion to the Metro East area, by tying it to the proposed development of Scott AFB as a military and commercial airport.

The SWIFT organization includes representatives from five area counties Jackson, Randolph, Perry, Monroe and St. Clair.

The Scott proposal has attracted support from Southern Illinois University and several county leaders, but some local residents have opposed the idea, because of potential noise and pollution.