Tollway asks for interchange feedback

A tollway interchange is considered golden for towns seeking to spur economic development or improve traffic, and that's why it's among the most frequent requests the toll agency receives from municipalities.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is updating its interchange policy and wants feedback from the public through Sept. 4.

The agency traditionally funds half the costs of interchanges, but it may provide more money if it appears revenues will exceed 50 percent of projections or if communities indicate that the location is near a major regional road or truck route.

Other considerations would be if towns can offer right-of-way land or agree to finance the project and be reimbursed by the tollway.

Another proposal would be a “corridor approach.” This could mean when a new interchange is built with tolls that are higher than other nearby ones, the agency may evaluate and increase those adjacent rates.

“If there's a really high (toll) some place and the ones right next to it aren't, what is the traffic impact?” Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said.

She added, “This is something that would have to be done with the local communities support, and any increase requires public hearings.”

Some other revisions include stipulations that all future requests for interchanges must come from government agencies and requiring more financial information and payback schedules.

To comment on the plan, go to www.illinoistollway.com/homepage.