Southwest Connector Planning and Environmental Linkages Study
Connecting Southwest Illinois Communities and the St. Louis Metro Area
About the Study Improving Connectivity and Access
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is conducting a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study to identify potential transportation improvements along Illinois 3, Illinois 154, and Illinois 13/127 from the City of Waterloo to the City of Murphysboro. The Southwest Connector PEL Study is a collaborative, integrated approach to transportation decision-making that will identify improvements to reduce travel times, improve safety, facilitate the movement of freight, and enhance connectivity between communities in Southwest Illinois and the St. Louis Metro Area – providing greater access to jobs, education, healthcare, recreation, and more.
Connecting Communities >> Driving Progress
Our team is actively reviewing ideas, considering public feedback, and developing solutions to meet transportation needs in the study area. We'll evaluate these solutions based on how well they improve mobility, safety, and access — as well as how they align with community goals, construction feasibility, and cost.
What is a Planning & Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study?
A PEL study is a collaborative approach to decision-making used to identify transportation issues and environmental concerns. This integrated approach considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning process and uses this information to streamline the transportation project development and environmental review process. The resulting information of a PEL study will be carried forward into the next phase of the project development process, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. IDOT may adopt or incorporate planning projects from this PEL study into a federal or state environmental review process, pursuant to Title 23 U.S.C to Title 23 U.S.C. § 168(d)(4).
What does a PEL study do?
- Creates efficiency in transportation project development
- Considers environment, community & economy
- Collaborative & integrated approach to decision making
Who Participates?
- Local, State and Federal Agencies
- Resource Agencies
- You!
- Combines planning, engineering, & early environmental review
- Minimizes duplication: uses decisions & analysis to inform detailed environmental review under NEPA
- Gives flexibility to agencies
- Assists with project delivery
- Encourages early, meaningful public engagement
- Promotes environmental stewardship
- Reduces delays in implementation
Interactive Study Area Map
Add your feedback to the map! Click, drag, and drop the icons below on the map then insert a comment in the pop-up box to share your feedback on specific locations in the study area.
PEL Study Timeline
| 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Summer | Fall |
|
|
|
| 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall |
|
|
|
|
| 2027 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Spring | Fall | |
|
|
|
|