Tollway looks toward next big project

With I-355 complete, the tollway is looking to advance other highway expansions in what collectively could change the face of transportation in the region and how roads are paid for.

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority directors Thursday authorized staff to study and prioritize a number of significant projects that include:

• Finishing the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway and constructing the O'Hare International Airport bypass.

• Expanding Route 53 north to the Tri-State.

• Building the Prairie Parkway, connecting the Reagan Tollway with I-80.

• Constructing the Crosstown Expressway linking Chicago's North and South sides.

"Toll systems are growing rapidly through the world because it does seem to be a relatively effective way to get new roads built with a user fee," board Chairman John Mitola said.

The authority also will look into proposals such as the Illiana Expressway connecting I-57 in Will County with I-65 in Indiana; improvements to the Eisenhower Expressway; and adding a toll highway between Waukegan and Richmond.

The tollway's action comes as the Illinois Department of Transportation and the state in general face a cash crunch and stalemate over a capital budget.

While IDOT is the lead agency in a number of these projects, "we certainly welcome their interest," spokesman Mike Claffey said. "We already work very closely with the tollway."

Tollway officials stressed plans are preliminary and added they also will continue trying to reduce congestion throughout the system.

Mitola said a major step is to look at the costs to ensure the tollway remains self-funding.

The agency also may reach out to local governments about using tolls to pay for new bridges or other projects.

The announcement signals a fundamental shift in how the tollway builds roads. In the past, the authority has considered only extensions of its own suburban system and usually at the behest of lawmakers.

Now it appears the tollway will be more proactive and aggressive in expanding roads throughout the Chicago region.

For drivers, this move can cut both ways. On one hand, major road projects that are considered to be more than a decade away could suddenly be completed in about half the time. But the new roads would be tolled, meaning a more direct cost to the driver.

One Buffalo Grove lawmaker applauded the tollway's move.

"I welcome any study of Route 53," Republican state Rep. Sid Mathias said. "Over the years, it's been on the top of my list of priorities."

Asked what projects would get top billing, Mitola said, "I don't know what will shift to the top of the list."

The tollway will start discussions with communities in 2008, officials said.

Ultimately, "we look to people in a region speaking with one voice, we don't want to thrust a road on a region," Mitola said.

Finding that one voice may be difficult. The Prairie Parkway, O'Hare bypass and Route 53 expansion have all generated controversy.

"The Prairie Parkway is not needed," Citizens Against the Sprawlway spokesman Jan Strasma said. "The money would be better directed at existing roads."