Elgin-O’Hare competing for federal transportation funds

SPRINGFIELD — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said an extension of the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway could be a top Illinois candidate for a share of $500 million in federal funding, but so are a lot of other transportation projects.

“It’s fiercely competitive, and the funds are limited,” the Springfield Democrat said Friday.

The $500 million pot is part of the transportation legislation signed into law Friday by President Barack Obama, and the money is supposed to be used for “projects of regional and national significance.”

Durbin said the Elgin-O’Hare project would meet that definition, but so do several other projects in Illinois, from an interstate bridge in the Quad Cities to a major railroad project in Springfield.

Every other state will push for support for its key projects, too, all competing for $500 million that won’t stretch very far when it comes to paying for major transportation projects.

Still, Durbin said he met recently with DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin about the Elgin-O’Hare and said it’s helpful to at least be able to compete for the money.

The $500 million is just a small part of the transportation plan approved by Congress. It includes $4.1 billion for Illinois roads and $1.5 billion for mass transit, a benefit praised by Regional Transit Authority officials.

The bill passed Congress just before the June 30 deadline and also will prevent college loan interest rates from doubling for more than 7 million students.

The Elgin-O’Hare Expressway extension needs about $300 million after toll hikes that will mainly pay for the project, which would extend the road east to O’Hare International Airport and build a western bypass around the airport.

Durbin said the Elgin-O’Hare is among Illinois projects that could move to the front of the line because they’re not starting from scratch.

“The good news is, many of these projects have already started,” he said.