JOLIET – Following IDOT’s decision to allow Route 53 access for the three warehouses that NorthPoint has built, State Senator Rachel Ventura released the following statement:

“I have continually echoed the concerns of residents on the NorthPoint Development. I 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.

“Following a meeting with IDOT's engineers to better understand their decision to allow permanent access, I wanted to provide transparency to residents that at this time this will cease the expansion of NorthPoint, halting their plans to expand beyond the three currently built structures. There will be no additional development east or west of IL 53 unless a connection to Millsdale Road is reestablished and then they would cease using IL Route 53. They would have to apply for a new permit and go through the process again for Millsdale.

“In addition to expansion denial, IDOT will closely monitor traffic increased by this decision and will take into account if it harms residents and daily commuters. While this is ultimately not what I advocated for or envisioned, I am confident that denying NorthPoint to expand is a win for our area.

“Furthermore, if NorthPoint does not adhere to these conditions, access would be revoked and they would have to pay to return the area back to the condition it was before access for these entrances was granted.”