Section 1225.280  Division of Highways

The Division of Highways is responsible for developing, maintaining and operating the State highway system in a timely, efficient and economical manner. The Central Bureaus of this Division are responsible for developing policies, procedures, standards and guidelines to accomplish the Department's highway system improvement objectives.  The Central Bureaus monitor District programs to assure statewide uniformity of policy interpretation and compliance, and to assure program coordination with Federal, State and local agencies.

a)         The Bureau of Operations Administration is responsible for providing the Director of the Division of Highways with administrative and management support.  This includes coordinating and consolidating the engineering activities of the Division with the administrative programs of the Department.

b)         Operations is an area in the Division of Highways comprised of the Central Bureaus of Construction, Maintenance, Materials and Physical Research, and Traffic. These Bureaus ensure that development of central programs and activities will support efficient program accomplishment in the Districts.  The overall objective is to ensure that highway improvement projects are constructed, operated, and maintained in a cost-effective and timely manner.

c)         The Bureau of Construction is responsible for providing policies that result in quality construction; approving changes in contracts; providing uniform contract interpretation; and prequalifying of contractors.

d)         The Bureau of Maintenance is responsible for establishing policies and procedures that provide for the protection of public investment in new and existing transportation facilities.  The Bureau monitors the activities of maintenance operations and roadside development carried on by the Districts and the Day Labor Section and provides for the development and implementation of programs to meet the problems of spiraling maintenance costs.  Emergency planning, the State-wide communication system, and the inspection of major structures are additional responsibilities of this Bureau.

e)         The Bureau of Materials and Physical Research is responsible for establishing policies and procedures that provide for quality assurance in materials testing and physical research.  The Bureau has the technical responsibility for the inspection of all materials used in construction and maintenance of highways.  Inspection includes sampling the materials, testing the samples and reporting the test results. The Bureau also conducts studies of new test methods and testing equipment, and develops proportioning of materials used in paving mixes. The Bureau is also responsible for operational research and development in which the Department engages to improve the economy and quality of transportation design, construction, maintenance and operation.

f)         The Bureau of Traffic is responsible for developing programs and policies that provide for safe, smooth, and efficient traffic flow.  The Bureau develops standards and specifications to ensure uniform application of traffic control devices on all streets and highways by analyzing operational problems creatively and applying standards and regulations imaginatively, to develop innovative and effective traffic engineering practices.  The Bureau ensures equitable and efficient handling of all applications for special vehicle movements; recommends revisions in the Vehicle Code as changes in the system and traffic patterns occur; and promotes a wide range of activities to inform the public of traffic conditions, laws, and operational safety.

g)         Program Implementation is an area in the Division of Highways comprised of the Central Bureaus of Bridges and Structures, Design, Land Acquisition, Local Roads and Streets, and Location and Environment. These Bureaus ensure that development of central programs and activities will support efficient program execution in the Districts.  The overall objective is to ensure that highway improvement projects are advanced to the letting stage in a cost-effective and timely manner and that funds to local agencies are properly administered.

h)         The Bureau of Bridges and Structures is responsible for developing the structural design policies and practices of the Department.  The Bureau provides detailed planning and design of highway structures; develops bridge standards; performs preliminary engineering; prepares highway structure plans; conducts special bridge and structure studies; and inspects structural steel.

i)          The Bureau of Design is responsible for developing standards, specifications, and policies for the design of a highway network which provides for economical, smooth, safe, rapid and comfortable movement of people and goods within and through the State.  The Bureau develops road standards and provides support services to District road design programs; coordinates and prepares Federal-aid program documents; and processes plans and contract documents through the letting stage.

j)          The Bureau of Land Acquisition is responsible for developing policies for the State-wide land acquisition program.  This program includes such functions as relocation assistance, property management, and signboard and junkyard control.  The Bureau is responsible for developing and administering standards of review for operational performance and for reviewing and processing all right-of-way expenditures.

k)         The Bureau of Local Roads and Streets is responsible for coordination of the interests of the Department and local government agencies in all matters pertaining to highway transportation.  The Bureau is responsible for assisting local agencies in planning, financing, designing, constructing and maintaining the local transportation systems; communicating the Department's objectives to local agencies; communicating local agencies' needs to the Department; and promoting the coordination and cooperation of counties, townships, municipalities and the Department in the development of transportation systems and their activities on a continuous partnership basis.

l)          The Bureau of Location and Environment is responsible for development of policies for the preparation, coordination, final review, and approval of project location studies and environmental impact statements.  The Bureau also provides liaison and guidance to the District offices during the development of location and environmental studies and offers technical expertise for solving unique engineering, social, economic, and environmental problems.  The Bureau approves the design of all State Highway System projects not on the Interstate System and obtains FHWA approval of environmental documents and the design of Interstate projects. In addition, the Bureau is responsible for providing aerial photography, mapping, and photo lab services on a Department-wide basis.

m)        Highway District Offices:  The District Engineers are accountable to the Director, Division of Highways, for highway operations and functions within their respective geographic boundaries.  The Districts assure that highway programs are compatible with the protection of both natural and socio-economic environments.  The Districts strive to reduce the number of traffic accidents, property damage and deaths through safe design, construction and maintenance of highway facilities and through the conduct of an effective traffic safety program.

n)         The locations of the District Offices of the Division of Highways are:

1)         District 1, 1000 Plaza Drive, Schaumburg 60172

2)         District 2, 819 Depot Avenue, Dixon 61021

3)         District 3, 700 East Norris Drive, Ottawa  61350

4)         District 4, 6035 North Knoxville Road, Peoria  61614

5)         District 5, State Transportation Building, Paris  61944

6)         District 6, 126 East Ash Street, Springfield  62706

7)         District 7, 400 West Wabash, Effingham  62401

8)         District 8, 9300 St. Clair Avenue, Fairview Heights  62208

9)         District 9, P.O. Box 100, Carbondale  62903-0100