IDOT Defends Results of Route 53 Extenstion Study

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Byline: Mark Spencer Daily Herald Staff Writer

State transportation officials say critics of the Route 53 extension misinterpreted a study by saying the proposed tollroad would lure an additional 60,000 residents to Lake County.

Growth directly attributed to the Route 53 project would be closer to 28,000 additional residents, the Illinois Department of Transportation says in a new study being presented to Lake County Board officials today.

Both estimates are in addition to an increase of 250,000 already expected by 2020, based on Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission estimates.

Officials with the Environmental Law and Policy Center defend …