Post by Paulie pchris00 on Jul 24, 2012 6:40:52 GMT -6
As you may have heard, the Illinois and Indiana departments of transportation (IDOT, INDOT) have proposed a new tollway, which, on the Indiana side, will run through southern Lake County. Residents that could potentially be affected by the tollway have been fighting it for years. Studies have shown, though, that the new tollway is needed to handle new and projected traffic patterns. It will most likely be built: the big question now is where?
Three possible routes through southern Lake County have been proposed. One of these routes, called the B4 corridor, is projected to run one mile south of Conway Observatory. By itself, and with properly shielded lighting along the highway, would be detrimental to the southern sky from Conway Observatory, but but wouldn't force us to abandon the facility altogether. Proposed interchanges at two nearby highways, however, would likely lead to development that would forever rob us of the dark southern sky.
Next week, in Peotone, IL and Lowell, IN, there are public meetings to hear of environmental impacts of the proposed tollway routes. The tollway committee has not even considered the impact of light pollution. Calumet Astronomical Society is urging all members to attend the meeting Wednesday, August 1, at Lowell Middle School, 5PM- 8PM. On the Illinois side, there is a meeting Tuesday, July 31 at Peotone High School 5PM- 8PM.
Among Chicago Astronomers, Dave and I have the most to lose if the tollway is located near our observing areas. However, many of our friends here at Chicago Astronomer have enjoyed the dark southern sky at Conway Observatory. It is one of only a handful of public dark sites within an hour of Chicago, and the only one specifically dedicated to astronomy. I believe it is to our collective benefit to let our voices be heard at one or both of these public meetings next week, and get the tollway committee to hear our concerns about the ever growing problem of light pollution. Please help us protect what dark sky we have left while we can.
illianacorridor.org/get_involved/upcoming_meetings.aspx
Three possible routes through southern Lake County have been proposed. One of these routes, called the B4 corridor, is projected to run one mile south of Conway Observatory. By itself, and with properly shielded lighting along the highway, would be detrimental to the southern sky from Conway Observatory, but but wouldn't force us to abandon the facility altogether. Proposed interchanges at two nearby highways, however, would likely lead to development that would forever rob us of the dark southern sky.
Next week, in Peotone, IL and Lowell, IN, there are public meetings to hear of environmental impacts of the proposed tollway routes. The tollway committee has not even considered the impact of light pollution. Calumet Astronomical Society is urging all members to attend the meeting Wednesday, August 1, at Lowell Middle School, 5PM- 8PM. On the Illinois side, there is a meeting Tuesday, July 31 at Peotone High School 5PM- 8PM.
Among Chicago Astronomers, Dave and I have the most to lose if the tollway is located near our observing areas. However, many of our friends here at Chicago Astronomer have enjoyed the dark southern sky at Conway Observatory. It is one of only a handful of public dark sites within an hour of Chicago, and the only one specifically dedicated to astronomy. I believe it is to our collective benefit to let our voices be heard at one or both of these public meetings next week, and get the tollway committee to hear our concerns about the ever growing problem of light pollution. Please help us protect what dark sky we have left while we can.
illianacorridor.org/get_involved/upcoming_meetings.aspx
