HJ0050 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0050 LRB101 11648 ALS 57883 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Interstate 80 between I-294 and Illinois State Route 47 in Morris is in need of substantial improvements, including the repair or reconstruction of several bridges; and

WHEREAS, According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the westbound bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet has an overall rating of 6 out of 100, the lowest for an Interstate in the Chicago area; the eastbound bridge has a rating of 7.5 out of 100; IDOT estimates that improvements on this section of Interstate 80, including repair or replacement of bridges and widening of the roadway, could total over $1 billion; and

WHEREAS, The Federal Interstate Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program allows for existing interstate facilities to be tolled to fund reconstruction or rehabilitation on Interstate corridors that could not otherwise be adequately maintained or functionally improved without the collection of tolls; and

WHEREAS, Section 14.1 of the Toll Highway Act provides that prior to the issuance of bonds for or the commencement of construction of any new highway, that particular toll highway shall be authorized by joint resolution of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, It is necessary and appropriate to transfer control of the section of Interstate 80 to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to expedite the repair of this section of Interstate 80; and

WHEREAS, It may be necessary and appropriate to expand the project limits over time to adhere to future additions or expansions of the Interstate 80 project; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority be authorized to expand the Illinois Toll Highway system to include Interstate 80 between I-294 at milepost 112 and Illinois Route 47 in Morris at milepost 154; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall complete the Interstate 80 project in a manner that supports diversity involvement in the project work and economic development in the region; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to each of the Directors of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation.