Illinois Department of Transportation unveils $11.25 Billion Multi-Year Highway Improvement Program

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig today unveiled an $11.25 billion Multi-year Highway Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2010-2015 that focuses on maintenance of the current road system.  The proposal aims to preserve and maintain the existing highway system of roads and bridges, upgrade existing facilities for congestion mitigation and safety improvements and expand the system to help spur economic development in the state of Illinois.

“IDOT will stay focused on maintaining the condition of the state’s roads and bridges as well as safety improvements,” said Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “But in order to build a brighter economic future, it is critical that we pass a full-scale capital plan.  This plan would not only enable us to invest in transportation, but also create the jobs and opportunity we need to keep our economy moving forward.”

The proposed $11.25 billion highway improvement program for FY 2010-2015 MYP is based upon conservative estimates of federal, state and local funding, with $7.499 billion in federal funds, $3.047 billion in state funds including $1.552 billion in bonds from the Governor Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! mini-capital program and $704 million in local funds.  The $11.25 billion highway improvement program for FY 2010-2015 includes $8.442 billion for improvements to the state highway system and $2.808 billion available for local roads.

Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! jump starts Illinois’ economy with a comprehensive plan to build new schools, repair our aging roads and bridges, improve mass transit, create green jobs and maximize the federal recovery money Illinois receives.

This comprehensive plan provides over $28.3 billion in combined state, federal and local funds for infrastructure projects across the state and supports over 420,000 jobs over six years. Projects will support economic development and bring badly needed infrastructure improvements to Illinois’ communities.

The FY 2010-2015 Proposed Highway Improvement Program will:

• Provide funding to improve 4,800 miles of highways and replace or rehabilitate 802 bridges.

• Provide for reinvestment in downstate Illinois for interstate highways such as Interstate 80 from east of Illinois 40 to west of Illinois 89 in Bureau County.

• Provide $431 million for local benefits programs to help cities, counties and townships improve local roads and support economic development.

• Provide funding for railroad crossing safety improvements throughout the state.

• Enhance highway safety as part of the department’s regular highway improvement program by targeting specific fatal and severe crash locations and addressing statewide safety concerns.

Due to the uncertainty of gasoline revenues as well as increased transportation project costs worldwide, the FY 2010-2015 MYP focuses on maintaining the existing system.  Over the last few years, the transportation industry has faced considerable increases in project costs due to the increase in materials such as steel, cement and asphalt causing nationwide and sometimes worldwide shortages.  Higher project costs can also be attributed to increased fuel costs, which can lead to higher than expected bid prices.  Until, the passage of Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! program, dramatic project cost increases, with little prospect for immediate relief, limited the department’s ability to add new projects to the road program.

The FY 2010-2015 state program can be summarized by four major priorities:

• System Maintenance:  $4.377 billion is scheduled for reconstruction, resurfacing/widening and safety projects.  This includes $1.004 billion for Interstate resurfacing projects and $352 million for safety improvements.

• Bridge Maintenance:  $2.453 billion is scheduled to address bridge needs.

• Congestion Mitigation:  $1.514 billion is scheduled to address traffic congestion.  This includes $480 million for a new bridge over the Mississippi River near East St. Louis and connecting roadways.

• System Expansion:  $99 million is scheduled mainly for preconstruction activity to build new roads to increase access and for economic development.  Few new major projects were added in this category.

The entire FY 2010-2015 MYP is available online at the Illinois Department of Transportation website at www.dot.il.gov

The FY 2010-2015 Proposed Highway Improvement Program includes two additional lists - one details the highway and bridge projects that IDOT plans to implement with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding and the other shows the projects that IDOT will begin this summer with the Illinois Jobs Now! funding provided by the Illinois General Assembly in April.  Many of the ARRA projects have been awarded and work will begin soon.

Major Project Highlights:

The following major projects are tentatively scheduled during FY 2010-2015.

Northeastern Illinois

• Interstate 55 (Stevenson Expressway) at Central Avenue (including ramps) in Cook County.  Bridge rehabilitation, interchange reconstruction, land acquisition, retaining wall, construction engineering and lighting are programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $30.5 million.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• Interstate 55 at Arsenal Road in Will County.  Interchange reconstruction, bridge replacement, grading, lighting and engineering are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $79.7 million.  Of this total, $33 million is programmed in FY 2010 for engineering for contract plans, construction engineering, retaining wall, interchange reconstruction, bridge replacement and reconstruction of a ramp.  This work is being done in conjunction with the development of the Joliet Arsenal facility which, when completed, will be the largest inter-modal facility in the nation.

• Interstate 80 from Grundy County line to US 30 in Will County.  Engineering for location, environmental and design studies and engineering for contract plans for the reconstruction and additional lanes on the mainline pavement are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $24 million.  Of this total, $3.4 million is programmed in FY 2010 for location, environmental and design studies.

• Interstate 80 from 0.6 mile east of 80th Avenue to Interstate 294 in Will County.  Resurfacing on 6.8 miles is programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $16.3 million.

• Interstate 90 (Kennedy Expressway) at Cumberland Avenue in Cook County.  Bridge replacement, intersection improvement, lighting and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $18.5 million.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• Interstate 94 (Bishop Ford Expressway) at the Stony Island Feeder in Cook County.  Bridge rehabilitation, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $17.9 million.  Of this total, $675,000 is included in FY 2010 for engineering for contract plans.

• Interstate 290/Illinois 53 from US 12 (Rand Road) to Illinois 72 Higgins in Cook County.  Resurfacing on 7.1 miles, bridge repairs and engineering for contract plans are programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $27.1 million.

• Interstate 290 (Eisenhower Expressway) from Interstate 88 (East-West Tollway) to Interstate 90/94 (Kennedy Expressway).  Resurfacing on 13.5 miles, bridge repair and a pump station at the Des Plaines River are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at an estimated cost of $45.1 million.  Of this total, $36.1 million is included in FY 2010 for resurfacing and bridge repair.

• US 12/45 (Mannheim Road) at Franklin Avenue & Soo Railroad.  Bridge replacement, a railroad flagger and construction engineering are programmed during FY2010 2015 at an estimated cost of $20 million.  Of this total, $18.2 million is included in FY2010 for bridge replacement, a railroad flagger and construction engineering.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• US 14 from West Lake Shore Drive to Lucas Road.  Additional lanes for 2.6 miles, land acquisition, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY2010 2015 at an estimated cost of $36.3 million.  Of this total, $603,000 is included in FY2010 for completion of engineering for contract plans.

• US 14 from Lucas Road to Crystal Lake Avenue and at Ridgefield Road (S JCT).  Additional lanes for 2.2 miles, land acquisition, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010 2015 at an estimated cost of $28.3 million. Of this total, $370,000 is included in FY 2010 for completion of engineering for contract plans.

• Illinois 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) from north of Sanders Road to south of Euclid Avenue.  Reconstruction on 0.3 mile, intersection improvement, traffic signal modernization, signal timing, land acquisition, and engineering for right-of-way and contract plans are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $12 million.

• Illinois 22 (Lake Zurich Road) from Quentin Road to west of Illinois 83 (Mundelein Road).  Additional lanes for 3.5 miles, land acquisition, engineering for right-of-way and contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $38.5 million.

• Illinois 22 (Half Day Road) at Interstate 94 (Tri-State Tollway).  Bridge replacement, culvert extension, culvert rehabilitation and retaining wall are programmed during FY2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $15 million.

• Illinois 22 (Half Day Road) from east of Interstate 94 (Tri-State Tollway) to west of US 41 (Skokie Highway).  Additional lanes for nearly 3 miles, land acquisition, utility adjustment, a railroad flagger, construction engineering and landscaping are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $22.4 million.

• Illinois 31 at Illinois 176 (East Terra Cotta Avenue) and at Terra Cotta Road.  Intersection reconstruction and land acquisition are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $23.6 million.

• Illinois 43 (Harlem Avenue) over US   12/20 (95th Street) 0.6 mile north of Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway).  Bridge rehabilitation, bridge widening, interchange reconstruction, pump station, engineering for contract plans and lighting are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $13.2 million.

• Illinois 53 (Rohlwing Road) from Elgin-O’Hare Expressway to Army Trail Road.  Additional lanes for nearly 4 miles, land acquisition and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $52 million.

• Illinois 53 (Rohlwing Road) from Illinois 64 (North Avenue) to St. Charles Road.  Additional lanes for 1.1 miles, bridge rehabilitation, bridge replacement, intersection reconstruction and land acquisition are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at an estimated cost of $18 million.  Of this total, $2 million is included in FY 2010 for land acquisition.

• Illinois 56 (Butterfield Road) from west of Illinois 59 (Joliet Road) to east of Winfield Road.  Additional lanes for 2 miles, bridge replacement, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010 2015 at an estimated cost of $35.1 million.  Of this total, $200,000 is included in FY 2010 for completion of engineering for contract plans.

• Illinois 64 (North Avenue) from 7th Avenue to Dunham Road.  Reconstruction on 1.2 miles, widening and resurfacing, railroad crossing improvement, retaining wall and lighting are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $9 million.

• Illinois 64 (North Avenue) from Kautz Road to Illinois 59 (Ingalton Road).  Additional lanes for nearly 3 miles, bridge replacement, retaining wall, land acquisition, construction engineering and lighting are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $43.2 million.

• Illinois 64 (North Avenue) at Des Plaines River.  Bridge replacement, water main, engineering for completion of contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at an estimated cost of $9.8 million.  Of this total, $300,000 is included in FY 2010 for completion of engineering for contract plans.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• Illinois 83 (Barron Boulevard) at Illinois 120 (Belvidere Road) south to Illinois 137 and at Atkinson Road.  Intersection reconstruction and engineering for contract plans are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $6.4 million.

• Congress Parkway (Westbound and Eastbound) over South Branch Chicago River.  Bridge rehabilitation, new bridge decks, bridge repairs, and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at an estimated cost of $24.8 million.  Of this total, $23.2 million is included in FY 2010 for bridge rehabilitation, new bridge decks, bridge repairs and construction engineering.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• DesPlaines River Road from US 12 (Rand Road) to Devon Avenue.  Reconstruction on 3.8 miles, land acquisition and engineering for right-of-way are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $43 million.

• Elgin O’Hare Expressway from Interstate 290/Illinois 53 to O’Hare Ring Road and O’Hare Ring Road from Interstate 90 (Northwest Tollway) to Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway).  New construction, land acquisition, preliminary engineering project managers, engineering for design, location and environmental studies and contract plans are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at an estimated cost of $159 million.  Of this total, $9million is included in FY 2010 for land acquisition, preliminary engineering project managers, engineering for design, location and environmental studies and contract plans.  These are SAFETEA-LU projects of national and regional significance.  SAFETEA-LU provided a total of $140 million for these projects.  The Department will be engaged in significant community outreach and public involvement throughout the planning process to develop proposals in accordance with the Department’s Context Sensitive Solutions policy.

• Southwest Highway over B&O Railroad, Stony Creek and at Ridgeland Avenue.  Bridge replacement, intersection improvement, construction engineering and lighting are programmed during FY 2010 2015 at an estimated cost of $13.2 million.  Of this total, $12 million is included in FY 2010 for bridge replacement, intersection improvement, construction engineering and lighting.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• Wolf Road from Illinois 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) to north of Hintz Road.  Widening and resurfacing for 2 miles, bi-directional left turn-lane, land acquisition and lighting are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $6.8 million.

• Wolf Road from south of Hintz Road to Palatine Road.  Additional lanes for 1 mile is programmed during FY 2011 2015 at an estimated cost of $7.5 million.

• 31st Street over ICG Railroad and METRA Electric Railroad.  Bridge replacement and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010 at an estimated cost of $8.7 million.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

Downstate Illinois

• Interstate 55 from the Macoupin/Madison County line to 0.8 mile north of Illinois 16 in Montgomery County.  Resurfacing on 14.2 miles, bridge repair and bridge deck overlay are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at a cost of $21.3 million.

• Interstate 55 from 0.6 mile north of Interstate 72 in Sangamon County to 0.1 mile north of the Logan County line.  Resurfacing on 13.1 miles and a right turn lane are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at a cost of $27.3 million.  Of this total, resurfacing on 5.1 miles from 0.2 mile north of Interstate 55 business to 0.1 mile north of the Logan County line and a right turn lane on the southbound interchange ramp at Illinois 123 are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $10.1 million.

• Interstate 55/155 from Kickapoo Creek northwest of Lincoln to the McLean County line.  Resurfacing on 15.9 miles and a new bridge deck at Kickapoo Creek and at the abandoned Norfolk and Southern Railroad are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at a cost of $36.6 million.

• Interstate 55/70/US 40 from Canteen Creek to 0.3 mile north of Interstate 55/70/270 in Madison County.  Resurfacing on 11.3 miles, bridge repair and new bridges are programmed during FY 2010 2015 at a cost of $36.4 million.  Of this total, resurfacing on 7.6 miles and bridge work from 1 mile north of Illinois 157 to 0.3 mile north of Interstate 55/70/270 are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $25.7 million.

• Interstate 55 from 0.3 mile north of Interstate 55/70/270 to 0.5 mile north of Illinois 4 in Madison County.  Rubblization and overlay on 14 miles, engineering for location, environmental and design studies and engineering for contract plans are programmed during FY 2010 2015 at a cost of $55 million.  Of this total, engineering for location, environmental and design studies is programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $250,000.

• Interstate 57 from 2.4 miles north of US 24 in Iroquois County to north of Clifton.  Resurfacing on 12.8 miles, bridge work, patching, engineering and a new bridge deck at Old US 45 and Illinois Central Railroad are programmed during FY 2010 2015 at a cost of $33.6 million.  Of this total, resurfacing on 4.8 miles, patching and bridge repair from 0.6 mile north of Illinois 116 to north of Clifton and engineering for contract plans at Old US 45 and Illinois Central Railroad 0.8 mile south of Clifton are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $8.9 million.

• Interstate 57 from the Kankakee River Bridge to south of the Illinois 50 Interchange in Bourbonnais.  Resurfacing on 3.9 miles, a bridge replacement and vertical realignment for 0.6 mile at the Kankakee River, engineering for contract plans, land acquisition and bridge replacement at North Street are programmed during FY 2010 2015 at a cost of $37.7 million.  Of this total, engineering for contract plans is programmed in FY 2010 for $330,000.

• Interstate 57 from north of the Illinois 50 Interchange to the Will County line.  Resurfacing on 8.6 miles, patching, bridge repair, land acquisition, engineering for contract plans and replacement of bridges at Larry Powers Road and Saint George Road are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at a cost of $24.5 million.

• Interstate 57 at the grade separation with new Illinois 13 in Marion.  A bridge replacement and ramp modifications are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $29 million.

• Interstate 57 from north of Illinois 13 in Marion to south of Illinois 14 in Franklin County.  Rubblization and overlay on 8 miles in the southbound lanes from north of Illinois 13 in Marion to the Williamson/Franklin County line and 9.9 miles of rubblization and overlay in the north and southbound lanes from the Williamson/Franklin County line to south of Illinois 14 are programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $35.4 million.

• Interstate 57 from the Franklin/Jefferson County line to 1 mile north of Bonnie.  Rubblization and overlay on 6.9 miles is programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $20.1 million.

• Interstate 57/64 from Interstate 64 south of Mt. Vernon to Interstate 64 north of Mt. Vernon.  Rubblization, overlays and additional lanes on 4.2 miles and bridge deck overlay are programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $30 million.

• Interstate 64 from 15th Street to 0.3 mile west of Illinois 157 in St. Clair County.  Resurfacing on 5 miles, bridge repair, bridge deck improvement, underdrains and engineering for contract plans are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at a cost of $32.9 million.

• Interstate 72 from the Macon County line to White Heath Road northeast of White Heath in Piatt and Macon Counties.  Resurfacing on 15.9 miles, a railroad flagger, lighting, bridge work and safety improvements are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at a cost of $15.9 million.

• Interstate 74/US 6 Mississippi River Corridor in Rock Island County.  Engineering for contract plans and land acquisition are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $24.1 million.  Of this total, the continuation of engineering for contract plans and land acquisition are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $6.4 million.  SAFETEA-LU provided $4.7 million in HPP funds, $7.5 million in NCII funds, $11.3 million in Bridge Set-Aside funds and $3.5 million in TI funds.  In addition, TEA-21 provided $1.6 million in Highway Demonstration funds.  Iowa is the lead agency with Illinois sharing the costs.

• Interstate 74/55 from north of Interstate 55 Business Loop at Bloomington to 3.1 miles southeast of County Highway 36 at Downs.  Resurfacing on 9.8 miles, patching, engineering for contract plans, bridge repair and a bridge replacement at Interstate 55 Business are programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $21 million.

• Interstate 74/155 from Muller Road to east of Interstate 155 in Morton.  Interchange reconstruction, new bridge, engineering for contract plans, utility adjustments and land acquisition are programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $56.8 million.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• Interstate 74 from east of Interstate 155 to east of Morton Avenue in Morton.  Bridge rehabilitation and replacement, reconstruction and additional lanes for 1.7 miles, land acquisition, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $24.8 million.  Of this total, engineering for contract plans is programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $1.7 million.

• Interstate 80 from east of Illinois 40 to west of Illinois 89 in Bureau County.  Resurfacing on 23.6 miles, bridge replacement or rehabilitation on 10 structures, bridge removal, utility adjustments and land acquisition are programmed during FY 2010 2015 at a cost of $66.6 million.  Of this total, resurfacing on 7.4 miles from east of Interstate 180 to west of Illinois 89 and bridge replacements at East Bureau Creek, Brush Creek, Negro Creek, utility adjustment at Negro Creek and bridge removal at the abandoned Union Pacific Railroad are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $30.6 million.

• Interstate 172 from the Interstate 72 Interchange to 0.3 mile north of Illinois 96 in Adams and Pike Counties.  Resurfacing on 10.8 miles is programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $17.5 million.

• Interstate 255 from Collinsville Road to Interstate 270 in Madison County.  Resurfacing on 7.1 miles, bridge repair and ramp repair are programmed during FY 2011-1015 at a cost of $30 million.

• Interstate 270 at the Chain of Rocks Canal in Madison County.  Bridge replacement, bridge rehabilitation, land acquisition, utility adjustments, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $96 million.  Of this total, engineering for contract plans is programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $2 million.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• Interstate 280/Illinois 92 from the Mississippi River to Airport Road in Rock Island County.  Bridge rehabilitation, a new bridge deck, bridge replacement and a railroad flagger are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at a cost of $21.8 million.

• US 20 from Galena to Freeport.  The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and design report for this project have been approved by the Federal Highway Administration and the Record of Decision was signed September 22, 2005.  Engineering for contract plans and land acquisition for the Galena Bypass are under way.

• US 20 (Rockford Bypass) from Weldon Road west of Rockford to Interstate 39 in Rockford.  Bridge work at Weldon Road and Meridian Road, interchange reconstruction and bridge replacements at Illinois 2, bridge replacements, a median crossover and reconstruction on 0.3 mile at the west and east channel of the Rock River, a bridge replacement at 20th Street, land acquisition, engineering for location, environmental and design studies and engineering for contract plans are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $44 million.  Of this total, bridge work at Meridian Road, engineering for location, environmental and design studies and engineering for contract plans are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $4.3 million.

• US 51 from south of Decatur to Centralia.  Phase I engineering for location, environmental and design studies from south of Decatur to south of Pana is complete at a cost of $2.6 million.  Currently, 18.2 miles of four-lane expressway is complete and opened to traffic from north of Elwin to 1.5 mile north of Assumption at a cost of $74.7million.

* Phase II engineering for contract plans and some land acquisition for the section 1.5 miles north of Assumption to 0.4 mile south of the Christian/Shelby County line south of Pana are under way at a cost of $4.1 million.  Continuation of the Phase II engineering and land acquisition is programmed in FY 2009 at a cost of $1.1 million.

* Phase I engineering for location, environmental and design studies utilizing Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) from south of Pana to Centralia is under way at a cost of $3.5 million.  Continuation of this Phase I engineering is programmed in FY 2009 at a cost of $2.5 million and in FY 2010 at a cost of $3.2 million.  SAFETEA-LU provided $2.4 million in HPP funds and $4.7 million in TI funds for this work.

• US 51 over the Sangamon River south of Harristown (northbound and southbound).  Bridge replacements are programmed during FY 2011 2015 at a cost of $24.7 million.

• US 67 Corridor.  The US 67 corridor extends nearly 220 miles from Rock Island south to Alton.  The two and four lane corridor improvement costs awarded to date total more than $737 million and $75.4 million in projects are programmed during FY 2010 2015.  Of this total, $570,000 is programmed in FY 2010.  The estimated unfunded cost to complete the four-lane sections in the US 67 corridor from Macomb southward to the Alton Bypass exceeds $1.7 billion.

US 67 from north of Industry to Illinois 101 in McDonough and Schuyler Counties.  Engineering for contract plans is programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $2.4 million.  SAFETEA-LU provided $1.6 million in HPP funds for this work.

* US 67 from 1.1 miles north of the Illinois River at Beardstown to 0.5 mile south.  Land acquisition is programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $470,000.  SAFETEA-LU provided $5.6 million in HPP funds and $2 million in TI funds for US 67, which has funded engineering and land acquisition work.

* US 67 from Godfrey to the Scott County line.  Engineering for contract plans, land acquisition, utility adjustments, construction of new bridges and culverts, a bridge replacement, grading and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $50.3 million.  Of this total, land acquisition is programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $100,000.  TEA-21 provided $12.2 million and SAFETEA-LU provided $8.36 million in HPP funds for this work.

* Alton Bypass from Interstate 270 to US 67 in Godfrey.  Construction of the four-lane Alton Bypass from Interstate 270 to US 67 in Godfrey is in progress.  The 13.9-mile segment from Interstate 270 to Fosterburg Road is open to traffic.  Paving and signing for the 2.7-mile section from Fosterburg Road to Seminary Road are under way.  The construction of the remaining 3.9 miles of mainline pavement, new culverts, signing, land acquisition and associated work from Seminary Road to US 67 in Godfrey are programmed during FY 2011-2015 at a cost of $22.2 million.

• Illinois 2 from north of Illinois 72 (west) west of Byron to Fair Street in Oregon.  Reconstruction for 7.4 miles, utility adjustments, land acquisition and associated work are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $29.3 million.  Of this total, reconstruction for 1.5 miles, turning lanes, a culvert replacement and retaining walls from south of Mud Creek Road to Fair Street in Oregon are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $7.5 million.

• Illinois 3 Relocation from 0.1 mile north of Granville Street in Venice to River Park Drive in East St. Louis.  There is $74.3 million for 2.9 miles of roadway reconstruction, widening and resurfacing, new bridges, drainage work, land acquisition and utility adjustments contingent upon securing additional special federal funds.

• Illinois 3 at the Union Pacific Railroad north of Dupo in St. Clair County.  A bridge replacement, a railroad flagger, land acquisition, utility adjustments and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $20.2 million.  Of this total, land acquisition and utility adjustments are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $350,000.  This project has been approved for Illinois Major Bridge Program funding.

• Illinois 37 from the south corporate limits of Benton to the north corporate limits of Johnson City. Resurfacing on 10.8 miles, a bridge and a culvert replacement, land acquisition and utility adjustments are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $17.8 million. Of this total, resurfacing on 4.4 miles, a bridge and a culvert replacement, and utility adjustments from Cleveland Street in West Frankfort to the north corporate limits of Johnson City are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $10.7 million.

• Illinois 40 (Knoxville Avenue) from north of Cedar Hills Drive to north of Mossville Road in Peoria.  Construction of additional lanes for 1.7 miles, intersection improvements and utility adjustments are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $12.7 million.

• Illinois 71 from Orchard Road to US 34 in Oswego.  Reconstruction and additional lanes for 2.2 miles, land acquisition and utility adjustments are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $26.2 million.  Of this total, land acquisition is programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $1.5 million.

• Illinois 78 at the Sangamon River, Big Lake Overflow and Wolfe Lake in Cass and Mason Counties.  Bridge replacements and a bridge approach roadway are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $26.8 million.

• Illinois 336 - Macomb to Peoria Corridor.  Engineering for location, environmental and design studies began in fall 2002 and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2010 with an approved final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision. The continuation of engineering for contract plans and a soils report are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $9.5 million.  Of this total, continuation of engineering for a soils report for $1.2 million is programmed in FY 2010.  SAFETEA-LU provided $5.2 million in HPP funds and $2 million in TI funds for this work.

• New Mississippi River Bridge at East St. Louis, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri.  Engineering for contract plans, archaeological survey, land acquisition, utility adjustments, new bridges, bridge replacement, bridge rehabilitation, pedestrian overpass, retaining walls, demolition, tree removal, interchange construction and reconstruction, intersection reconstruction, resurfacing of side streets, signing, lighting, grading and paving are programmed during FY 2010-2015 at a cost of $480.3 million.  Of this total, engineering for contract plans, archaeological survey, land acquisition, utility adjustments, new bridges, bridge replacement, pedestrian overpass, retaining walls, demolition, interchange construction, intersection reconstruction, resurfacing of side streets, grading and paving are programmed in FY 2010 at a cost of $80.8 million.  SAFETEA-LU provided $150 million in PNRS funds and $14 million in TI funds for this project.

Funding for Locally Implemented Projects

The $2.808 billion local program includes federal, state and local funds for highway improvements identified by local units of government.  Included in this program is $431 million in state funds over six years designed to address specific local needs.  This includes $131 million for a County Consolidated Program, $24 million for High-Growth Cities, $60 million for Needy Townships, $90 million for the Township Bridge Program, $42 million for upgrading local truck routes, $24 million for state matching assistance and $60 million to foster economic development.  Most of these funds are appropriated separately from the highway improvement program and do not appear explicitly in this program.

Grouped Projects

Funds are set aside in the six-year program for specified projects and programs.  They have been grouped into the following activity categories:

• Railroad Crossing Safety Program.   Over $38 million of state funds will be available to upgrade protection at rail crossings on state routes.  These funds are in addition to federal funds for rail safety improvements and will include a limited number of grade separations.

• Safety Programs.   $453 million for safety construction activities, including roadside safety improvements and rail-highway crossings.  Projects are identified on an annual basis to correct severe accident locations and protect rail grade crossings.  These funds are from the new federal Highway Safety Improvement Program and may be used on state and local roads.  These funds are able to be used in stand-alone projects or are used for safety features incorporated in department projects.

• Enhancement Program.  The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) is funded through the federal Surface Transportation Program.  Under the recent SAFETEA-LU authorization, the ITEP will provide approximately $120 million for transportation enhancement projects.  Projects for the first round of funding under SAFETEA-LU were announced in June 2006.  There were 107 projects selected totaling $77 million ($61.6 million federal).  Announcement of projects submitted in 2008 has been delayed due to the addition of $28 million in federal ARRA enhancement funds.  The department is identifying shovel ready projects in order to utilize the ARRA funds.  Implementation of TEA-21 and SAFETEA-LU projects is ongoing.  Project sponsors are required to keep projects on track toward implementation or risk loss of enhancement funds.

• Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) Program.  $638 million is available exclusively for specific traffic congestion and mitigation and air quality projects in the northeastern Illinois and Metro East areas in accordance with federal legislation.  Eligible projects will be developed to contribute to air quality standards and can include traffic flow improvements, public transportation projects and non-motorized transportation projects.  A substantial amount of these funds will be used for public transportation projects.  Local metropolitan planning organizations will select projects.  In addition to these projects, $30 million is transferred from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund to the Vehicle Inspection Fund.  These funds are used to provide vehicle inspections in the Chicago and Metro East non-attainment areas.

Major Bridge Program

The department’s Illinois Major Bridge Program (IMBP) targets deficient highway bridge projects that exceed replacement or rehabilitation costs of $5 million for state bridges and $1 million for local bridges.  The IMBP provides federal Highway Bridge Program funds for up to 80 percent of eligible project costs; a 20 percent non-federal match is required.  The FY 2010-2015 IMBP identifies $290 million of federal bridge funds for 29 local projects and 16 state projects.

For the Record

Each year the department prepares For the Record, a report of accomplishments that details the status of each project in the preceding annual highway improvement program.  This report will be published in fall 2009, listing the accomplishments of the FY 2009 program.

Public Involvement

SAFETEA-LU requires states to provide expanded opportunities for the public to participate in all aspects of transportation decisions.  Public involvement is an important component of all transportation system plans and programs.  In Illinois, public input on transportation issues is sought and considered on a continuous and ongoing basis.  The FY 2010-2015 Proposed Highway Improvement Program is the culmination of the programming process and builds on the public involvement efforts conducted by the department and local agencies throughout the process.

The department welcomes public comments regarding any state transportation issue and provides a public comment form with each highway improvement program.  Comments are considered in determining future transportation plans and programs.  The highway improvement program is distributed throughout the state and is available for review at district offices, through the Illinois Document Depository Libraries and in the Public Partners section of the department’s internet website - www.dot.il.gov.

Public comments on the FY 2010-2015 program and input for future programs should be submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation and are welcome at any time.  Individual comments can be forwarded to the appropriate district offices at the addresses listed on the map included in this Executive Summary or to the Central Office in Springfield at the following address:

Illinois Department of Transportation
Office of Planning and Programming
2300 South Dirksen Parkway, Room 307
Springfield, Illinois 62764

Individuals can also contact the department concerning planning, programming and public involvement issues at 1-800/493-3434.  People who are hearing-impaired can use the Ameritech Illinois relay number 1-800/526-0844.