State gives NorthPoint access to Route 53 in Joliet

The state has approved temporary access to Route 53 for at least one NorthPoint Development warehouse in Joliet.

The Illinois Department of Transportation decision so far applies to only one of three warehouses built by the developer that had pledged to keep trucks off Route 53 with a “closed-loop” road network that it said is being foiled by rival CenterPoint Properties.

Two state legislators, who objected to NorthPoint access to the state highway, issued statements on the IDOT decision.

“For years, residents across the district have strongly been against this project due to environmental and health concerns, as well as the significant increased traffic that would come to an area that has already been burdened with increased trucking over the years,” said state Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet.

Ventura and state Rep. Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, wrote letters to IDOT opposing the NorthPoint access.

Walsh in a statement issued Wednesday emphasized the conditions and limitations placed on NorthPoint in the IDOT decision.

“I do not believe the restrictions go far enough, but they do represent the best-case scenario for maintaining safety while the developers work to restore their access to Millsdale Road,” Walsh said.

NorthPoint plans to use Millsdale Road to get into the CenterPoint Intermodal Center road network, providing access to the intermodal yards in Joliet and Elwood and to Interstates 55 and 80. The access would make use of Route 53 unnecessary, according to NorthPoint.

CenterPoint Properties, however, has objected to the plan and won a temporary restraining order in Will County Circuit Court to keep NorthPoint from using the Millsdale access. NorthPoint, in turn, has filed a federal lawsuit seeking a court order allowing access on Millsdale.

The conditions in the IDOT decision require modifications on Route 53 before tenant FNS can use the state highway for a 320,000-square-foot warehouse built by NorthPoint.

FNS, a potential distributor of batteries to the Lion Electric Co. bus and truck plant in Joliet, is ramping up its operations now, NorthPoint CEO Nathaniel Hagedorn said.

NorthPoint commitment

Hagedorn said NorthPoint will make the improvements required at the Route 53 and Compass Drive intersection in a matter of weeks. The developer also will proceed to meet conditions needed for operations at the other two warehouses, he said.

Hagedorn noted that NorthPoint has committed to IDOT and Joliet that it will not develop any more property until it has access to Millsdale Road or an alternative route that would keep trucks off Route 53.

“We are very committed to our closed loop,” Hagedorn said. “[Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy] did not want to grant this access to Route 53. He doesn’t want any more trucks on Route 53. IDOT doesn’t want any more trucks on Route 53. We don’t want any more trucks on Route 53.”

Hagedorn described the Route 53 access as an “emergency” measure that allows tenants already lined up for the warehouses to operate and NorthPoint to rent out the one other building it has constructed.

Target has rented one of the other warehouses developed by NorthPoint. The third has not yet been leased.

The IDOT decision requires NorthPoint to apply again for permits to allow other warehouse users onto Route 53 and sets conditions that would have to be met.

“While this is not the preferred outcome,” Walsh said in his statement. “I am optimistic that the requirements the state has placed on this temporary access are comprehensive enough that there will be no other choice for the developers but to proceed in a productive and positive manner.”

Ventura said she plans to meet with IDOT representatives to discuss the decision.