DeKALB | Until Oct. 4, DeKalb residents have listened as Krusinski Construction Company presented plans for a new business park. Residents near the Gurler Road site finally had their opportunity to be heard.

Multiple residents expressed concerns regarding increased truck traffic and the potentially intrusive path of truck routes near their homes.

Tim Sjogren, senior transportation engineer for the Metro Transportation Group, Inc., spoke on behalf of traffic issues.

“The design encourages trucks to use Peace Road,” Sjogren said. “We are currently in the process of finalizing the traffic study.”

There are also potential plans to improve Gurler Road and Peace Road, depending on the traffic study results.

“Upon recitation of the traffic study, some improvements will be required from Gurler to Peace Road,” said Jerry Krusinski, president of Krusinski Construction Company.

Sjogren is hopeful the improvements can meet both the Illinois Department of Transportation standards and suit residents.

“I don’t see any need for variance of typical IDOT standards,” Sjogren said. “We are trying to balance IDOT standards and concerns heard in the past.”

Krusinski said an overlay and widening would be necessary to accommodate traffic.

“We have enough room for widening improvements without impeding private property,” Krusinski said.

Another item was the structure of the retention ponds proposed in the design. Project Manager William Bohne said the retention ponds are more than sufficient for the city.

“They will be obtaining water above and beyond DeKalb standards,” he said.

Alan Edrinn is the Energy beat reporter for the Northern Star.