Quality of Life

· Loss of tranquility

There is almost nowhere in DuPage where one cannot hear traffic noise. Fermilab offers a sanctuary from the noise of suburban DuPage. The east side of Fermilab is 3/4 mile from the nearest major road. Even there, one can often hear the muted roar of traffic from Rt. 59 and Butterfield Road. If Eola Road is run through that area, one of the quietest areas in DuPage will be lost forever.

· Destruction of Forest Preserves and open land

People want open space to escape from the congestion and noise of the metropolitan area. They want the open space to be sanctuaries where they can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature. A 4-lane highway through the middle of an open space area destroys both.

· Loss of recreation area

Fermilab provides recreation area for activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and birding. Placing a 4-lane highway through that open space will not only directly reduce the area available for such activities, but also make the surrounding region less appealing. Those activities will be far less enjoyable when accompanied by the roar of high-speed traffic.

· Loss of access to recreation areas

People using Fermilab will have to cross a 4-lane highway. How will pedestrians, bikers, and horseback riders cross the road safely?

· Road lighting in backyards

Will the stretch through Fermilab be lighted at night for safety and security reasons? Does that mean that the residents of western Warrenville will be looking a high-powered street lights at night? Even vehicle lights will spoil the dark, starry sky over Fermilab that is enjoyed by local residents.

· A noise barrier will increase train noise since barrier will be between road and tracks in Fermilab

It has been suggested that a berm or other noise barrier will be put between the road and the Warrenville neighborhood. Since the railroad tracks are directly adjacent to houses along the western edge of Warrenville, the noise barrier would have to go between the road and the railroad tracks. While reflecting road noise away from Warrenville, the noise barriers will reflect train noise towards Warrenville. The train whistles, horns, and diesel noise, which can easily be heard 3/4 mile away, will get louder.

· How will there be no intersection at Batavia and Eola roads?

Officials have said there would not be access between Batavia Road and Eola Road. One suggestion advanced was that an overpass would be built.

If Batavia Road goes over Eola, the start of the raised road would intrude into the Summerlakes development. How would the bike path cross Eola Road? How would horse riders enter into Fermilab?

If Eola Road were to go over Batavia, that would raise the 4-lane road 20 feet into the air. The increased height would project road noise for a farther distance, reducing property values for more homes. How would a noise barrier be constructed? If it were a wall, the total structure height would be 30 feet or more. This unsightliness would be visible for a greater distance, again lowering more property values.

· Reduction in property value of houses near road

Placing a major 4-lane road near homes in Warrenville will degrade the value of those homes. Since there will be no access to Eola Road, and traffic on Rt. 59 will no be significantly improved, those homeowners will suffer a loss of equity, increased noise, and the blight of looking at a highway from their backyards without gaining anything in return. What will be done to compensate those homeowners?

· Will the tax rate increase to offset reduction in property values?

When the homes that decrease in value are reassessed, their contribution to the local tax base will drop. Will the overall tax rate have to be increased to compensate? Will then everyone else have to pay more taxes as a result?