Some community members and local city residents are criticizing Champaign’s continuation of the Olympian Drive project. The project will construct an arterial road stretching east to west across northern Champaign-Urbana. It has been in the works for 25 years.

Olympian Drive is projected to attract more business to the area, which would increase the local employment rate, said Cameron Moore, CEO of the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission.

The location of the road’s construction was determined by a location design study in 1997. In response to this study, project planners designed the arterial road to act as a critical link between I-57 and U.S. Route 45, the heart of Champaign’s growth area. The road will also provide the city with a route for emergency response and interstate closures.

Champaign City Council recently reviewed project updates and passed the movement to begin funding applications.

“If you look at this through the perspectives of transportation, land development and economy, I don’t think there is any project as important,” Moore said.

However, many local farmers said the projected placement of the Olympian Drive project causes concerns because their farms would be destroyed with road construction.

Wes Jarrell, owner of Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery in Champaign, said the Olympian Drive project will be detrimental to the agricultural market economy, a significant fiscal growth factor for the city. He said his farm is estimated to be an operation worth $300 million.

“Agriculture can be an economic driver in many ways,” he said. “It’s quiet; it’s tranquil. It’s part of the elements. The Olympian Drive would destroy this environment.”

Many of the farms located on the lands wanted for project construction have been run by families for three generations or more.

Janice Sharloy, Urbana resident, said her farm contributes tens of thousands to the community on prime farmland that can only be found in Champaign-Urbana. She added that farms should be considered businesses and that farmlands should not be seen as areas used for growth by city planners.

“Progress is a way of life on the farm. I know it is that way on my farm. Change is inevitable,” Sharloy said. “Money could be better spent on schools and infrastructure, not the Olympian Drive.”

Local businessmen, however, argue the Olympian Drive will be a catalyst in moving the region’s economy forward.

“This is necessary,” said Laura Weis, president and CEO of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. “It was decided to designate that location for the project construction in 1997 because it is the area where such an endeavor would cause the least disturbance to the residential areas.”

Still, local farmers and residents argue against the damage the road’s construction will bring.

“We are blessed with the soil we have here,” said Lynn Stuckey, Champaign resident. “I agree with roadwork for building out city, but we cannot build over farmland because it will cost us a lot.”