We were hoping to spend some time walking along Main St., however the rain kept us inside. Fortunately, thanks to street view on Google Maps, we were able to take a virtual walk through our downtown.
We believe the meeting went very well and appreciated the time the Secretary was able to spend with us. He listened carefully to our concerns, and was familiar with the complexities of our project. As a result of the meeting we are able to report the following:
- Should the Village Board endorse option 2.3 this coming Monday evening, Secretary Gottlieb indicated "clear sailing" throughout the DOT approval process.
- The final step for approval would rest with the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCR is NOT a part of the DOT). Secretary Gottlieb indicated that he will personally reach out to Commissioner Jeff Plale seeking his department's support of 2.3.
- Secretary Gottlieb indicated that he would do whatever he can to keep the project moving quickly through his department, but he is unable to control the timing of the OCR processes.
- Secretary Gottlieb said that the fall of 2015 would be the next opportunity for a majors project study to be considered for the STH 19 corridor. This would be part of a competitive process in which a study of STH 19 would compete against other potential study projects across the state.
- Secretary Gottlieb could not take the future option of a 4-lane highway off the table. He simply can't, because any majors project study involving federal funds must go through an intensive process in which every single option is given consideration (whether it be a bypass to north, bypass to the south, switch to four lanes, or other changes to the current road system).
Next Monday, April 15th, at 6:00 PM the Village Board will hold a regularly scheduled meeting. That meeting agenda includes Board discussion and action on Option 2.3.
