SB0508 Engrossed

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    AN ACT concerning transportation.

 
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    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
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represented in the General Assembly:

 
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    Section 5. The Illinois Highway Code is amended  by adding 
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Section 4-220 as follows:
 
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    (605 ILCS 5/4-220  new)
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    Sec. 4-220. Accommodation of all users of highways under 
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the jurisdiction of the Department.
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    (a) The General Assembly finds that it is the public policy 
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of this State that Department of Transportation projects 
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involving highways under the jurisdiction of the Department 
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must adequately meet the transportation needs of all users of 
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these highways, including those who travel along or across 
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these highways by motor vehicle, foot, bicycle, or wheelchair.
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    (b) To support this policy and to meet the intent of 
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federal transportation law, the Department shall adopt the 
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Federal Highway Administration's "Accommodating Bicycle and 
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Pedestrian Travel" policy in a manner consistent with Illinois 
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law. The federal policy requires the routine inclusion of 
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bicycling and walking facilities in all projects involving 
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highways under the jurisdiction of the Department except where 
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there is an absence of need, where cost limits are exceeded, 
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where bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited, or where other 
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exceptional circumstances exist.
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    This policy does not apply to pavement resurfacing projects 
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that involve highways under the jurisdiction of the Department 
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and that do not widen the existing traveled way and do not 
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provide stabilized shoulders, unless (i) local support is 
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evident or (ii) bicycling and walking accommodations can be 
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added within the overall scope of the original roadwork.
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    This policy shall become effective July 1, 2006 for 
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planning and training purposes only.  For construction 
 


 






SB0508 Engrossed
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projects, this policy shall become effective July 1, 2007.
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    (c) The Department shall file with the Governor and the 
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General Assembly, no later than March 1, 2007, a report 
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containing an evaluation of existing bicycle and pedestrian 
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accommodation in State roadway projects involving highways 
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under the jurisdiction of the Department and a comparison of 
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these projects with federal guidelines.
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    (d) The Department shall, no later than March 1, 2007, 
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submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a transition 
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plan for:
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        (1) specific policy and implementation changes 
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    identified in the report; and
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        (2) training on bicycle and pedestrian accommodation 
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    for all Department staff and contractors involved in the 
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    planning and design of highways under the jurisdiction of 
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    the Department.
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    (e) In preparing the report and  transition plan required 
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under subsections (c) and (d) of this Section, the Department 
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shall utilize the assistance and expertise of pedestrian and 
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bicycle safety organizations.