Illinois municipalities would be relieved of the burden of long-range transportation projection under a bill the House that passed unanimously.
H.B. 2363, introduced by state Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine), amends the Illinois Highway Code and provides for municipalities to lower the period of study from 20 to five years on their long-range highway transportation plans.
“This is a bill that would help our municipalities,” Morrison said. “Currently, IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) requires municipalities over 5,000 [residents] to do a 20-year transportation study on the major thoroughfares. As I have talked to many of our local officials back at home, they say it’s not a practical study to have to do. They do it because it is law. What would be more practical would be to put in statute a five-year plan. Many of them are already doing a five-year plan, so just put this in statute.”
Transportation plans serve as maps to strengthen and improve aspects of transportation in a specific area.
Currently, IDOT requires municipalities with a population of at least 5,000 to devise and update a 20-year transportation plan. This can pose a challenge because forecasting 20 years' worth of traffic usage and road utilization is not practical for some municipalities, such as Morrison's own Palatine.
H.B. 2363 reduces the projection period to a minimum of five years, not to exceed 20 years. It also requires a list of any major improvements that might take place within three years of the date of each plan. A copy of the plans must be made available to the public annually.
The transportation measure helps municipalities figure out where best to use motor fuel tax funds. IDOT itself is required to develop a transportation plan for the state every five years; one is due this year. It is asking for public input via an interactive site that allow residents to vote for ideas and policies that would improve roads.
H.B. 2363 has been referred to the Assignments Committee in the Senate.
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