On February 1, Governor Quinn delivered his 2012 State of the State address, outlining his administration's efforts to spur economic growth and improve infrastructure. 

The governor applauded the growth of automotive manufacturing jobs at Ford and Chrysler plants in Chicago and Belvidere, respectively.  He stated that Illinois exports are on the rise, having jumped 30 percent in 2011. Building...

Today the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously recommended its two-year transportation reauthorization bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) to the full Senate (click for full text).  The bill would continue the federal highway program for two years at current funding levels plus inflation.  Early reports peg the total funding level at $85.3...

The first installment of this series introduced the Central Lake County Corridor and illustrated the concept of “modern boulevards” by surveying historic parkways.  This second installment reviews contemporary examples of context-sensitive parkway-type facilities in the U.S.  These facilities serve more uses than recreational motoring, and in some cases showcase the reconstruction and redevelopment of existing transportation facilities.  Newer projects utilize the boulevard concept in order to support multimodal travel, improve safety, and promote strong aesthetics. 

Paris Pike, Kentucky

Opened: 2003

The Paris Pike is...

(Please note that the second installment in this two-part series was posted on October 27, 2011.)

GO TO 2040 calls for a small number of major capital projects to provide substantial new capacity to the transportation system over the next three decades.  CMAP analysis found the Central Lake County Corridor, which would extend IL-53 north and construct a bypass of IL-120, to have the greatest congestion reduction benefits of...

The Illinois Tollway was awarded federal funding to study the integration of transit with managed lanes on I-90, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.  On September 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Tollway $528,840 to participate in a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) pilot program to manage congestion through tolling and other pricing mechanisms.

I-90 is one of the...

UPDATE:  Tollway board approves proposed capital plan

On Thursday, August 24, 2011, the Illinois Tollway board of directors voted to approve the proposed 15-year, $12 billion capital plan that will help to ensure our region's continued economic competitiveness and quality of life.  In what the CMAP Board's supporting letter called "a necessary and brave step in the right direction," the Tollway will emphasize...

Two high-priority GO TO 2040 capital projects -- the Elgin-O'Hare West Bypass and the Central Lake County Corridor extension of Illinois Route 53 -- are in the news, as a pair of advisory councils are evaluating these proposed transportation improvements.
 

On July 14, Governor Quinn announced that the Elgin-O'Hare advisory council had submitted its final report.  Co-chaired by then-Secretary of Transportation Gary Hannig and...

When regional plans like GO TO 2040 are produced, one relatively small component typically attracts the most attention -- the identification of new major transportation projects. For projects to receive federal transportation funds or obtain federal approvals, they must be included in these plans. As the name implies, “major capital projects” add capacity, come with large price tags, and often...

When regional plans like GO TO 2040 are produced, one relatively small component typically attracts the most attention -- the identification of new major transportation projects.  For projects to receive federal transportation funds or obtain federal approvals, they must be included in these plans.  As the name implies, “major capital projects” add capacity, come with large price tags, and...

When regional plans like GO TO 2040 are produced, one relatively small component typically attracts the most attention -- the identification of new major transportation projects.  For projects to receive federal transportation funds or obtain federal approvals, they must be included in these plans.  As the name implies, “major capital projects” add capacity, come with large price tags, and...