Governor Blagojevich proposes nearly $10.5 Billion Multi-Year Highway Improvement Program

SPRINGFIELD -Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Tim Martin today unveiled Governor Blagojevich's proposed Highway Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2007 - 2012. The $10.425 billion Multi-Year Highway Improvement Program (MYP) focuses on maintaining the current highway system.

The Multi-Year Highway Improvement Program compliments Governor Blagojevich's recently announced capital program for roads which will make $2.325 billion available to expand Illinois' transportation infrastructure. The capital program, Jobs for Illinois, will promote additional job creation and make critical investments to meet state and local community transportation needs.

"Our multi year plan does what it's supposed to do: maintain roads and bridges. But we cannot rely on that alone. Last Spring, Congress passed a federal transportation bill that provides several billion dollars in new funds for Illinois. We cannot allow that money to go to other states. That's why it's time we put partisan politics aside and pass our jobs bill," Governor Blagojevich said. "Our plan means receiving every dollar Illinois is due."

"We can't rely solely on the MYP if we want our transportation system to expand and meet the needs for economic development throughout the 21st century," IDOT Secretary Timothy W. Martin said. "The MYP, coupled with Jobs for Illinois, will allow us to meet safety and maintenance needs, while at the same time moving forward with expansion projects we need for economic development and job creation."

The FY 2007-12 MYP is based upon conservative estimates of federal, state and local funding, including $7.085 billion federal funds, $2.695 billion state funds and $645 million local funds. The federal portion of the MYP is based upon anticipated levels established in the new federal transportation legislation, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The new federal legislation signed into law last summer increases Illinois' share of highway funds by more than $300 million on an average annual basis. In addition to federal formula funds, SAFETEA-LU includes $1.25 billion in nearly 300 specific earmarks for projects within Illinois, and IDOT will use the Jobs for Illinois program to capture those earmarked funds.

"Governor Blagojevich and our congressional delegation, led by Speaker Hastert, Congressman Costello, Senators Durbin and Obama, put partisanship aside and did an incredible job making sure Illinois did better under this latest highway bill," said Transportation Secretary Timothy W. Martin. "By doing so well, they presented us with a challenge in coming up with our match, especially with our earmarked projects. That's why our capital bill is so important, so that we can put together the package to not only meet our formula match, but also get the funding to receive those earmarked funds."

The FY 07-12 MYP includes $7.381 billion for making improvements to the state highway system and $3.044 billion for improvements to the local system. Other highlights include:

· Improvements to 4,280 miles of highways.

· Improvements to 884 bridges.

· Targets key projects in northeastern Illinois to address congestion such as funding additional lanes on I-55 from I-80 to Weber Road, reconstruction of I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) from 31st street to I-57 and I-80 (Kingery Expressway) from I-94 to the Indiana state line.

· Provides for re-investment in downstate Illinois for interstate highways such as I-80 from the Henry County line to west of IL 251 in Bureau County.

· Provides $315 million for local benefits programs to help cities, counties and townships improve roads and support economic development.

The FY 2007-2012 MYP is estimated to be $10.425 billion dollars. Due to the uncertainty of gasoline revenues as well as increased transportation project costs worldwide, the FY 2007-2012 MYP focuses on maintaining the existing system. While the increased cost of gasoline has led to higher sales tax revenues, motor fuel tax projections have been reduced. Nationally, consumer reaction to recent increases in gasoline prices have led to lowered motor fuel tax expectations and future vehicle registration receipts; because of this IDOT has also revised its revenue estimates for state motor fuel tax and vehicle registration receipts. The transportation industry is also facing considerable increases in project costs because of nationwide, and in some cases worldwide, material shortages, including steel, cement and asphalt. Dramatic project increases coupled with uncertain future revenue estimates limits the Department's ability to add many new projects to the road program. The Department's main priorities are as follows:

· System Maintenance: $3.440 billion scheduled for reconstruction, resurfacing/widening and safety projects on state maintained highways.

· Bridge Maintenance: $1.463 billion scheduled to address bridge needs.

· Congestion Mitigation: $1.676 billion scheduled to address traffic congestion.

· System Expansion: $802 million scheduled to build new roads to increase opportunity for economic development.

The entire FY 2007-2012 MYP is available online at the Illinois Department of Transportation website, www.dot.il.gov.

Major Project Highlights
The following major projects are tentatively scheduled during FY 2007-2012.

Downstate Illinois

· Interstate 55/70 Poplar Street Complex in East St. Louis. Bridge repair and bridge deck overlay on the Tudor/Piggot Ramps and on the Interstate 70 Collector/Distributor are programmed during FY 2007-2012 at a cost of $27.7 million. Of this total, $8.5 million is programmed in FY 2007.

· Interstate 55/64/70 Interchange (Tri-Level) in East St. Louis. Reconstruction of this interchange at the three routes is necessary to improve traffic operational conditions and provide access to the local street system. Construction and associated work are programmed during FY 2007 2012 at a cost of $9.9 million. Of this total, engineering for contract plans is programmed in FY 2007 at a cost of $1 million. There is an additional $172.4 million of work on the Tri-Level and the Interstate 64 connector that is contingent on securing additional special federal funds.

· Interstate 57 from north of Illinois 13 in Marion to the Jefferson County line. Rubblization and overlay on 26.6 miles are programmed during FY 2008-2012 at a cost of $55.6 million. In addition, bridgework near West Frankfort and south of West City is programmed during FY 2008 2012 at a cost of $6.9 million.

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

§ US 20 (Galena Bypass) from Illinois 84 northwest of Galena to Horseshoe Mound Interchange southeast of Galena. The proposed bond program provides $13.2 million for utility adjustments, land acquisition, archaeological survey and engineering for contract plans. SAFETEA-LU provided $7.44 million in HPP funds for this work. (Northwest Region)

§ US 20 (Freeport Bypass) from US 20 Business west of Freeport to west of Illinois 26. The proposed bond program provides $20.5 million for additional lanes for 4 miles, a new bridge, land acquisition, utility adjustments and engineering for contract plans. SAFETEA-LU provided $760,000 in HPP funds for this work. (Northern Stateline Region)

· US 51 - Decatur to Pana. Since 1990, IDOT has invested $43.9 million on upgrading US 51 to four lanes south of Decatur, including the completed construction for 9.2 miles from north of Elwin to north of the Macon/Shelby County line. New construction for 3.5 miles from 0.9 mile south of the Shelby County line south of Moweaqua to 0.1 mile north of Township Road 306 is under way. The remaining work to complete the 8.6-mile section from 0.1 mile north of Township Road 306 to 2.9 miles north of Illinois 16 north of Pana is not currently funded.

§ US 51 (Assumption Bypass) from 1.5 miles north of Assumption to 1.1 miles south. The proposed bond program provides $21.1 million for new roadway construction of 4 miles of a four-lane expressway, land acquisition and utility adjustments. SAFETEA-LU provided $14.1 million in HPP funds and $2.75 million in TI funds for this work. (Central Region)

§ US 51 from south of Pana to Centralia. Engineering for design, location and environmental studies and engineering for contract plans are programmed during FY 2007-2012 at a cost of $8.9 million. Of this total, engineering for design, location and environmental studies is programmed in FY 2007 at a cost of $1.5 million. SAFTEA-LU provided $2.4 million in HPP funds and $4.8 million in TI funds for this work.

· US 67 Corridor. The US 67 corridor extends nearly 229 miles from Rock Island south to Alton. The two and four lane corridor improvement costs awarded to date total more than $708 million and $121.9 million in projects are programmed during FY 2007-2012. Of this total, $2.95 million is programmed in FY 2007. The estimated unfunded cost to complete the four lane sections in the US 67 corridor from Macomb southward to the Alton Bypass exceeds $1.6 billion.

§ US 67/US 136/Illinois 336 - Macomb Bypass from US 136 (Jackson Street) in Macomb to US 136 northeast of Macomb. The proposed bond program provides $30.5 million for a new interchange, a new bridge, land acquisition and engineering for contract plans. (West Central Region)

§ US 67 from North of Industry to Illinois 101. Engineering for contract plans is programmed during FY 2007-2012 at a cost of $2.3 million. SAFETEA-LU provided $1.6 million in HPP funds for this work.

§ US 67 from the Cass County line to 0.2 mile east of Concord / Arenzville Road and at the Illinois River at Beardstown. Engineering for contract plans and land acquisition are programmed during FY 2007-2012 at a cost of $13 million. Of this total, a portion of both engineering for contract plans and land acquisition are programmed in FY 2007 at a cost of $1.95 million. SAFETEA-LU provided $5.6 million in HPP funds and $2 million in TI funds for this work.

§ US 67 from Jerseyville to the Scott County line. The proposed bond program provides $24.2 million for engineering for contract plans. (Central Region)

§ US 67 (Jerseyville Bypass) at Dearcy Creek, at a tributary of Dearcy Creek and at Illinois 16. The proposed bond program provides $23.9 million for 0.4 mile of grading, three new bridges, a culvert, a bridge replacement, land acquisition, utility adjustments, construction engineering and engineering for contract plans. SAFETEA-LU provided $8.36 million in HPP funds for this work. (Southwest Region)

§ US 67 from Godfrey to Jerseyville in Madison County and Jersey County. Construction of new bridges, construction engineering, engineering for contract plans, land acquisition and utility adjustments are programmed during FY 2007-2012 at a cost of $27.6 million. Of this total, land acquisition is programmed in FY 2007 at a cost of $500,000. TEA 21 provided $12.2 million in HPP funds for this project.

§ 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 6.5-mile segment from Interstate 270 to Illinois 143 is open to traffic. Construction on the 7.2-mile segment from Illinois 143 to Fosterburg Road is under way. Completion of contract plans and construction of the remaining 6.1 miles of mainline pavement, 1.7 miles of construction on cross streets and associated work from Fosterburg Road to US 67 in Godfrey are programmed during FY 2007-2012 at a cost of $79 million. Of this total, land acquisition is programmed in FY 2007 at a cost of $500,000.

· Illinois 3 Relocation from Cahokia to Venice. Archaeological survey work is programmed during FY 2007 2012 at a cost of $6 million. Of this total, $1.5 million is programmed in FY 2007 for this work. There is an additional $80.8 million for new construction, new bridges, land acquisition and utility adjustments contingent on securing additional special federal funds.

· US 136/Illinois 336 - Quincy to Macomb Corridor. A new four-lane highway for 21.3 miles from US 24 near Quincy to 3 miles south of Carthage and 1.2 miles from County Highway 18 to Deere Road west of Macomb is open to traffic. The construction to provide 5 miles of four lanes and an interchange from 3 miles south of Carthage to 2 miles east of Carthage and the construction to provide 1.1 miles of five lanes from US 136 east of Township Road 266 to County Highway 18 are under way. Grading and drainage work for a 0.72-mile section is under way from 0.5 mile south of US 136 to 1 mile south of US 136 near the west edge of Macomb. The work to finish the remaining 20.3 miles of four-lane highway from 2 miles east of Carthage to US 136 east of Township Road 266 is fully funded. Land acquisition and construction from 2 miles east of Carthage to US 136 east of Township Road 226 west of Macomb are programmed during FY 2007 at a cost of $119.1 million.

· Macomb to Peoria Corridor Study (Illinois 336). Engineering for location, design and environmental studies began in fall 2002. The continuation of engineering for location, design and environmental studies and engineering for contract plans are programmed during FY 2008-2012 at a cost of $11.5 million. SAFETEA-LU provided $5.2 million in HPP funds and $2 million in TI funds for this work.

· Illinois 40 (Knoxville Avenue) from north of Cedar Hills Drive to north of Illinois 6 in Peoria. Construction of additional lanes, intersection improvement, resurfacing on 2.6 miles and associated work are programmed during FY 2007 2012 at a cost of $21.5 million. Of this total, construction of additional lanes, intersection improvement, resurfacing on 0.9 mile and land acquisition are programmed in FY 2007 at a cost of $6.1 million.

Northeastern Illinois

Interstate 55 from Interstate 80 to Weber Road in Will County. Engineering for contract plans, additional lanes and widening and resurfacing for 14.5 miles, bridge repair and widening, noise barriers, shoulder repair and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2007 2012 at a cost of $111.4 million. Of this total, $90.8 million is programmed in FY 2007 for engineering for contract plans, construction and construction engineering. SAFETEA-LU provided $2.8 million in HPP funds for this project. However, the expansion of I-55 cannot be complete without additional funding that would come from the Governor's jobs bill.

· Interstate 55 at Arsenal Road in Will County. Interchange reconstruction, bridge replacement, land acquisition, lighting, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2008 2012 at a cost of $33.3 million. This work is being done in conjunction with the development of the Joliet Arsenal facility which, when completed, will be the largest intermodal facility in the nation.

· Interstate 80 (Kingery Expressway) from Interstate 94 (Bishop Ford Expressway) to Indiana state line in Cook County. The four-year Kingery reconstruction project is approaching its final stage as construction on the mainline begins this spring along with the construction of a new tri level structure connecting I 80 to southbound Illinois 394. There is $11.3 million programmed in FY 2007 for construction engineering and landscaping. The project is anticipated to be completed by spring 2007.

· Interstate 94/90 (Dan Ryan Expressway) from 31st Street to south of the Interstate 57 Interchange in Cook County. Reconstruction of 8.5 miles of the existing local and express lanes, bridge repairs and replacement, additional ramps, landscaping and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2007 2012 at a cost of $359.4 million. Of this total, $317.8 million is programmed in FY 2007 for additional ramps, bridge repairs, reconstruction and construction engineering.

· US 6 (159th Street) from Interstate 294 to Illinois 1 (Halsted Street). Reconstruction on 2.3 miles, bridge replacement, railroad relocation, intersection improvement, engineering for contract plans, construction engineering, utility adjustment and lighting are programmed during FY 2007-2012 at an estimated cost of $55.3 million. Of this total, $6.3 million is included in FY 2007 for bridge replacement, railroad relocation, engineering for contract plans, construction engineering and utility adjustment. TEA-21 provided $1.3 million in HPP funds for this project.

· US 14 (Virginia Street) from West Lake Shore Drive to Crystal Lake Avenue and at Ridgefield Road (south junction). Additional lanes for 4.9 miles, land acquisition, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2008-2012 at an estimated cost of $45 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, engineering for contract plans and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2008-2012 at an estimated cost of $37.8 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 and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2008-2012 at an estimated cost of $21.3 million.

· Illinois 56 (Butterfield Road) from Illinois 59 (Joliet Road) to Naperville Road. Additional lanes for 5.3 miles, bridge widening, bridge repair, land acquisition and construction engineering are programmed during FY 2008-2012 at an estimated cost of $73.4 million.

· Illinois 59/US 30 (Division Street/Brook Forest Avenue) from Illinois 126 (Lockport Road) to US 52 (Jefferson Street). Additional lanes for 6.3 miles, bridge replacement, retaining wall, construction engineering, land acquisition and landscaping are programmed during FY 2007-2012 at an estimated cost of $86.3 million. Of this total, $2 million is included in FY 2007 for land acquisition.

· 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 2008-2012 at an estimated cost of $41 million.