Route 53 extension (Mundelein, Fox Lake, Long Grove: houses, price, to move)

[cubssoxfan]

Drove from WI. this weekend via route 12. In Wisconsin, it is an easy to drive 4-lane expressway. In Illinois it is traffic choked 2 lane road right through downtown Richmond and all the way to Fox Lake. The 53 extension is supposed to branch at Rte 120. One direction to connect to I-94, the other to connect with Rte 12 at the WI border. How long will they wait? Or is this another scenario like the Fox River Expressway, where all the NIMBY's say, not in my vicinity and then when all the development is finished and the highways are traffic choked say "Gee, why didn't they plan for better roads to handle all this traffic?" These highways were proposed back in the late 60's! So people saying, "Oh, my house was here first", generally have no argument-unless they moved in before 1969. OK, I'll get off my soap box now. Can't help getting aggravated at the seemingly slow and poor planning that goes into our road network.

[Ophidian14]

Never. If they didn't build it before, they're certainly not going to build it now with gas at $4.00+/gal.

In contrast, the 355 extension broke ground in November 2004, when gas was about $1.85 or so.

[ahava]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Or is this another scenario like the Fox River Expressway, where all the NIMBY's say, not in my vicinity and then when all the development is finished and the highways are traffic choked say "Gee, why didn't they plan for better roads to handle all this traffic?"

That's it exactly. And unfortunately the "my house was here first" argument works when it's being said by people who own million-dollar mansions in Long Grove. Don't hold your breath for the 53 extension, it's never going to happen. It makes too much sense.

[Avengerfire]

It will happen, but maybe in 2030.

[cubssoxfan]

That's it exactly. And unfortunately the "my house was here first" argument works when it's being said by people who own million-dollar mansions in Long Grove. Don't hold your breath for the 53 extension, it's never going to happen. It makes too much sense.

Time for emminent domain. Of course, the state is too broke to pay for these homes. I know the land is vacant farther north in Mundelein, where there was a build 53 contingent. Hmmm, maybe we can charge tolls for Long Grove & Hawthorn Woods residents to use Cook Co. roads and use it as leverage to get them to build 53 or make other roads, like rte 12, 8 lanes. Reminds me of the resistance to the 355 extension south of Army Trail. Then, when it was built, the locals said"Wow, we can actually use the local roads again. Gee, the sound barriers and noise mitigation has really minimized the effect of this highway." I get frosted that the few, who are inconvenienced the least, can block a much needed improvement for the many who would benefit.

[mendelman]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

...the locals said"Wow, we can actually use the local roads again. Gee, the sound barriers and noise mitigation has really minimized the effect of this highway." I get frosted that the few, who are inconvenienced the least, can block a much needed improvement for the many who would benefit.

Not to mention the people that now have good developable land adjacent to an on/off ramp. Those people would be very happy to see the road built.

Here in ARlington Heights, it would certainly make it easier for us to go north (since 53 expressway ends at Lake-Cook Rd.). We would certainly encourage it. Plus, it would have the same effect as the 355 extension - it would take alot of through traffic off 45 and 12, which would be a great benefit.

[cubssoxfan]

Here in ARlington Heights, it would certainly make it easier for us to go north (since 53 expressway ends at Lake-Cook Rd.). We would certainly encourage it. Plus, it would have the same effect as the 355 extension - it would take alot of through traffic off 45 and 12, which would be a great benefit.

Here, Here! my fellow AH resident. Can I recruit you to help pass out build 53 bumper stickers on 53 & Lake Cook. Plenty of stopped traffic. Or we could choose from many locations along rte 12, or portions of rte 83, or.............

[Rusty_Shackleford]

There is a big difference between "not in my back yard" and "don't steal my home and demolish it".

Sorry, but if traffic is too bad there, then don't drive there. You're not entitled to having expressways wherever you want, paid for by other taxpayers.

[ccjarider]

Rusty,
Sure we are!

As Spock said, "The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few."

Besides, you can probably get more for your home if it was condemed via eminent domain than it is worth on the open market right now.

I would sell my home this afternoon for the right price!.

[cubssoxfan]

Sorry, but if traffic is too bad there, then don't drive there. You're not entitled to having expressways wherever you want, paid for by other taxpayers.

Rusty, the highway was planned WAAYY before 95% of the houses were built. If people build where a proposed highway is planned; it's their fault if they have to move when it's time to construct the highway. Oh, and it will be a tollway so you won't have to pay for it. It is 2 communities blocking the highway for the multitude of communities that want it built farther up the right of way.