On July 28, the Illinois Tollway proposed a new $12 billion, 15-year capital plan designed to create jobs, stimulate the economy, provide better travel conditions and relieve congestion. The proposed capital plan, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, maps out the Illinois Tollway’s infrastructure investments for 2012-2026, including funding to complete the rebuilding of the 52-year-old tollway system.
The plan includes reconstructing the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) as a 21st century, state-of-the-art corridor linking Rockford to O’Hare Airport, a new interchange to connect I-294 to I-57 – one of only two places in the nation where interstates cross but do not connect – and a new all-electronic Elgin O’Hare West Bypass that can provide western access to one of the nation’s busiest airports. Also included in the plan is funding for planning studies needed for the extension of Illinois Route 53 and the Illiana Expressway.
“Communities throughout the region are advocating for new transportation projects with increasing urgency,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “Illinois residents, business owners, planners, elected officials and others understand that new roads can improve quality of life by saving people time and money, creating jobs and stimulating local economies.”
The proposed capital plan will create more than 120,000 permanent jobs and add $21 billion to the economy. For every $1 billion of annual construction, more than 13,000 shorter-term construction jobs will be created and sustained over the next decade.
