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Press Release

ELPC Applauds (IL) Lake County Board Decision to End Pursuit of Route 53 Extension

Environmental Law & Policy Center Applauds Lake County Board Decision to End Pursuit of Route 53 Extension. “This is a big victory and turning point for better transportation solutions in Lake County and the Chicago region.”

STATEMENT BY HOWARD A. LEARNER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY CENTER

In response to the Illinois Tollway’s request to the Federal Highway Administration to rescind the Notice of Intent for the Tri-County Access Environmental Impact Statement, which effectively ends efforts to create a Route 53 extension north of Lake Cook Road, ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner said:

“This is a big victory and turning point for better transportation solutions in Lake County and the Chicago region. The Illinois Tollway has thrown in the towel, and the Lake County Board has de-prioritized the Route 53 extension, which isn’t financially viable and the public doesn’t want. Together, they are bringing this boondoggle and environmentally destructive tollway to its well-deserved end.

“Let’s acknowledge that the Route 53 tollway seems to have nine lives, but hopefully this is the last.”

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