the collection of $10,000 in pledges to support a legal battle.

Opponents have urged “no” votes on engineering and construction contracts at county board meetings. And the upcoming hearing already inspired 165 pages of comments from opponents and responses from KDOT officials.

“The Brunner property, in particular, was purchased with taxpayer funds to provide additional open space in the county,” wrote opponent Janis Jasper. “To watch the roadway cut through this land goes against every reason why taxpayers are asked to approve land purchases by forest preserve entities. Changes to the land with this type of construction not only changes the actual topography but also affects the water, air, light and sound quality far beyond the actual roadway itself.”

County transportation officials and some county board members defend the plan as a necessary new river crossing.

It will address current and projected future congestion as well as assist future development along the parkway corridor, they say.

They point to previous studies indicating the parkway will have less environmental impact than the county’s Stearns Road Bridge project.

The Federal Highway Administration will review the county’s updated justifications and the public comments. The agency will then decide if the project warrants a more in-depth, updated study of the environmental impacts before the project can continue.

The public can submit comments through Sept. 6. The county’s environmental studies are available at www.co.kane.il.us/dot/foxBridges/longmeadowPkwy.aspx.