By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis – A plan by the state of Illinois to protect a 37-mile stretch of land in Madison, St. Clair and Monroe Counties for a potential roadway or light rail line is being scrutinized by environmentalists.
Illinois transportation officials say population shifts further away from the urban core require planning for future development.
But Jack Norman with the Sierra Club says a possible four-lane interstate will only encourage sprawl
"The population projections have not panned out," Norman said. "Rather than an increase in population in the study period, there's been a decrease, and have suggested less expensive and less intrusive ways of solving local traffic congestion problems."
Norman's group, called "Stop 158", will meet tonight at 7 at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville.