Village trustees Monday night joined the chorus of voices from southwest suburban communities calling for construction of a tollway link between Interstate Highway 355 in Bolingbrook and Interstate Highway 80 in New Lenox.
Plans to extend the tollway into Will County were halted early this year after a federal judge said proponents of the roadway had failed to examine alternative modes of transportation.
With the trustees’ resolution calling for the tollway link, Mokena joins forces with other Will County towns, including Lockport, Lemont, Joliet and New Lenox. A local planning council also has approved a resolution supporting the tollway plan.
Mokena Mayor Robert Chiszar said the growing communities need more transportation options.
“Our own community has grown by 90 percent in the last six or seven years,” he said.
Southwest suburban officials said the proposed highway would promote economic development and enhance job opportunities, but opponents have expressed concerned about environmental impact and suburban sprawl.
A federal judge in January ordered officials to slow the plans.