Land Strategies, Inc. Chicago, IL

Kendall County Concrete vs. Illinois Department of Transportation
Transportation Analysis and Expert Opinion
Kendall County, Illinois
The Law Offices of Daniel J. Kramer, representing Kendall County Concrete, Inc. retained Land Strategies to prepare an analysis of the effects of the Illinois Department of Transportation's U.S. 34 Roadway Improvement project on the access system and operations of the Kendall County Concrete site. U.S. 34 was being widened to a four lane facility with a concrete barrier median. As designed and constructed, a single median break allowed one full access drive (eastern access) and one right-in/out drive (western access) to the Kendall County Concrete site. Land Strategies determined that closing the western access drive to full movements would have a negative effect, as internal site circulation and truck loading procedures would result in increased maneuvering and loading time. Closure of the western access drive would also increase vehicle conflict at the eastern drive. Land Strategies prepared a summary report with supporting graphics, highlighting its findings and recommendations for site access following the roadway improvement. As a result of our report, IDOT allowed a second median opening for full access at both drive locations. Todd Fagen testified as an expert witness at the trial. The case is still pending.

I-290 Roadway Improvement
Impact Analysis and Expert Testimony
Hillside, Illinois
Land Strategies was asked to determine the traffic and land use impacts resulting from the high profile widening project of I-290 (the Hillside Strangler) on five commercial properties located along the expressway right-of-way between Wolf Road and Mannheim Road. For each of the study sites, we analyzed the existing access, circulation, parking and land use conditions. Then we evaluated the existing conditions against the proposed right-of-way improvements to identify any impacts or constraints on operations. A summary memorandum highlighted the existing conditions and our impact analysis findings, along with conceptual site configurations detailing access, circulation, parking and land use alternatives available when the right-of-way improvements were completed. On behalf of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Land Strategies presented expert testimony relating to its analyses and findings during the quick-take and judicial hearings. The case is up for trial in late 2005.

Illinois Department of Transportation vs. Powers Towing
Expert Testimony
Hillside, Illinois
The Illinois Department of Transportation and Deutsch, Levy & Engel, Chartered retained Land Strategies to determine the traffic and site circulation impacts on the Powers Towing Company that would result from the right-of-way expansion of Roosevelt Road for the I-290 (Hillside Strangler) project. Since it had frontage and site access on Roosevelt Road, Powers Towing was claiming damages because it said the roadway widening would result in reduced on-site truck maneuverability. Land Strategies analyzed the traffic and site circulation impacts of the Roosevelt Road widening project, before and after the property taking. We then prepared a summary memorandum detailing our analysis and findings regarding site access, on-site circulation, traffic volumes and traffic accidents that was utilized to determine monetary damages. The case is up for trial in late 2005.