Give input on bypass options

After the process was backed up to give local citizens more input on possible routes for a U.S. Route 51 bypass around Vandalia, the public now has a set of six options to which it can respond.

The six represent a variety of ways that the bypass route could be configured to move traffic through the community efficiently and safely.

Is there one that's perfect? Not a chance. Is there one that has emerged as head and shoulders above the others? Not yet. They all have assets and liabilities.

The main challenge stems from the way Vandalia is situated – with the Kaskaskia River (and the associated flood plain) on the east, existing residential areas to the north and valuable farmland (and the lake) to the west. There's no route that will avoid all three of those areas.

But one must be selected. And that's where you come in. Public input is needed now in order for the best route to be selected. If you didn't get to the public meeting last Tuesday, you still have an opportunity to learn about the six routes by going on the Illinois Department of Transportation website to see the options. That website is: www.us51eis-idot.com. Comments may be sent via e-mail to: [email protected].

If you want to have a say in the location of the bypass, you have until next Tuesday (Dec. 7) to do so. The more opinions we have, the better the decision will be.

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