SB0508 Engrossed LRB094 07629 DRH 37801 b

1     AN ACT concerning transportation.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Illinois Highway Code is amended by adding
5 Section 4-220 as follows:
 
6     (605 ILCS 5/4-220 new)
7     Sec. 4-220. Accommodation of all users of highways under
8 the jurisdiction of the Department.
9     (a) The General Assembly finds that it is the public policy
10 of this State that Department of Transportation projects
11 involving highways under the jurisdiction of the Department
12 must adequately meet the transportation needs of all users of
13 these highways, including those who travel along or across
14 these highways by motor vehicle, foot, bicycle, or wheelchair.
15     (b) To support this policy and to meet the intent of
16 federal transportation law, the Department shall adopt the
17 Federal Highway Administration's "Accommodating Bicycle and
18 Pedestrian Travel" policy in a manner consistent with Illinois
19 law. The federal policy requires the routine inclusion of
20 bicycling and walking facilities in all projects involving
21 highways under the jurisdiction of the Department except where
22 there is an absence of need, where cost limits are exceeded,
23 where bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited, or where other
24 exceptional circumstances exist.
25     This policy does not apply to pavement resurfacing projects
26 that involve highways under the jurisdiction of the Department
27 and that do not widen the existing traveled way and do not
28 provide stabilized shoulders, unless (i) local support is
29 evident or (ii) bicycling and walking accommodations can be
30 added within the overall scope of the original roadwork.
31     This policy shall become effective July 1, 2006 for
32 planning and training purposes only. For construction

 

 

SB0508 Engrossed - 2 - LRB094 07629 DRH 37801 b

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