IDOT revises it's five-year road plan to reflect influx of new c apital
So how healthy are Illinois' highways and bridges?
"The system would have hit an all-time low without the action of the federal government and General Assembly."
The quote is from engineer Christine Reed, director of highways for the Illinois Department of Transportation. Speaking at a Transportation Management Association of Lake-Cook meeting Thursday, Reed was referring to funding from the federal economic stimulus bill and a "mini" capital bill, approved in April.
But what's really needed, Reed said, is a comprehensive capital program to reconstruct crumbling bridges and roads.
Well, thank goodness, we do have a state capital bill that will pump $29 billion into our woebegotten infrastructure.
Oh wait a minute - we don't.
Although it passed the House and Senate, the policy is now being held hostage while Gov. Pat Quinn and the four legislative leaders wrangle over a solution to the budget deficit. After Quinn threatened not to sign the bill unless he got a balanced budget, lawmakers filed a motion to reconsider - keeping it under their control.
But in the meantime IDOT has revised its five-year list of projects to reflect the influx of capital dollars.
So is there a Prairie Parkway, extension of Route 53 north, extension of Elgin O'Hare, Crosstown Expressway or Illiana Expressway in our future?
Nope. The list is pretty utilitarian. Here's a look at some regional improvements picked to receive capital bill funding between 2010 and 2015.
• Rehab of the I-55 bridge between the Dan Ryan Expressway and Lake Shore Drive at $54 million-plus.
• Fixing those dilapidated bridges from Franklin Street connecting with Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago for $4.4 million.
• Replacing the culvert at Wolf Road and McDonald Creek in Mount Prospect for $1 million.
• Interchange reconstruction on Lake Street at York Road and I-290 in Elmhurst for $19 million.
• Interchange reconstruction on Lake Street and McLean Boulevard in Elgin starting at $40.5 million.
• Interchange reconstruction at I-90 and I-47 in Huntley for $16.6 million in cooperation with the tollway.
• Land acquisition on Lake Avenue (Route 45) and Route 120 in Grayslake for $1 million.
• Interchange reconstruction at I-55 and Weber Road near Naperville starting at $40 million.
Things could change but it seems to fall into the "make small plans" versus "make no small plans" category.
Flotsam and jetsam
• Interestingly, at Thursday's session, Reed did reference the successful referendum on extending Route 53, saying consensus was important and calling the resolution "a huge step forward."
• Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director Steve Schlickman, who also spoke to the TMA, said getting universal fare cards for the CTA, Pace and Metra by 2012 was a priority. Schlickman also indicated that two audits of Pace, which has been under fire for its handling of rides for disabled individuals, showed that "Pace is doing a good job."
• State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, a Democrat from Northbrook, is pumped about the future of Midwest high-speed rail after a meeting with Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Nekritz joined the likes of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Quinn, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm in Washington, D.C., to lobby for the region's share of a $8 billion high-speed rail pie. Routes include Chicago to St. Louis, Chicago to Detroit and Chicago to Milwaukee. LaHood, a former downstate congressman, told the delegation he had the Midwest's interests at heart. "He strongly encouraged Midwest to put together a comprehensive regionwide plan," Nekritz said. What's next? An expected Midwest high-speed rail summit in Chicago this summer.
Incoming
• Bike to Work week runs Saturday through June 19. To promote tree-hugging commuting Pace and the bicycle advocacy group, the Active Transportation Alliance will give free Caribou coffee to bikers in Chicago Wednesday morning. To get your java, you'll need to sign up for Pace's RideShare.com. The program matches commuters who want to carpool and now includes a Bike Buddy feature. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at 900 N. Wells, outside the Solheim Center. (Thursday is the rain date.)
• Metra's extending its Family Fares deal starting June 15 through Sept. 4. The program lets three kids under age 12 ride free with a fare-paying adult.
<div style="float:right;margin:0 0 6px 0;"> <div class="moreHeader"> More Coverage </div> <div class="moreHolder"> <div style="margin:6px;text-wrap:auto;"> <div class="moreSubHead"> Graphics </div> <ul class="moreGallery"> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/graphics/roadwork/dhroadwork09.html" class="mediaItem">Summer roadwork maps</a></li> </ul> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298888"><B>In Transit:</B> IDOT revises five-year road plan</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298903">Summer road work hot spots</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>