SB0508eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0508 Engrossed LRB094 07629 DRH 37801 b

AN ACT concerning transportation.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Highway Code is amended by adding Section 4-220 as follows:

(605 ILCS 5/4-220 new)

Sec. 4-220. Accommodation of all users of highways under the jurisdiction of the Department.

(a) The General Assembly finds that it is the public policy of this State that Department of Transportation projects involving highways under the jurisdiction of the Department must adequately meet the transportation needs of all users of these highways, including those who travel along or across these highways by motor vehicle, foot, bicycle, or wheelchair.

(b) To support this policy and to meet the intent of federal transportation law, the Department shall adopt the Federal Highway Administration's "Accommodating Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel" policy in a manner consistent with Illinois law. The federal policy requires the routine inclusion of bicycling and walking facilities in all projects involving highways under the jurisdiction of the Department except where there is an absence of need, where cost limits are exceeded, where bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited, or where other exceptional circumstances exist.

This policy does not apply to pavement resurfacing projects that involve highways under the jurisdiction of the Department and that do not widen the existing traveled way and do not provide stabilized shoulders, unless (i) local support is evident or (ii) bicycling and walking accommodations can be added within the overall scope of the original roadwork.

This policy shall become effective July 1, 2006 for planning and training purposes only. For construction projects, this policy shall become effective July 1, 2007.

(c) The Department shall file with the Governor and the General Assembly, no later than March 1, 2007, a report containing an evaluation of existing bicycle and pedestrian accommodation in State roadway projects involving highways under the jurisdiction of the Department and a comparison of these projects with federal guidelines.

(d) The Department shall, no later than March 1, 2007, submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a transition plan for:

(1) specific policy and implementation changes identified in the report; and

(2) training on bicycle and pedestrian accommodation for all Department staff and contractors involved in the planning and design of highways under the jurisdiction of the Department.

(e) In preparing the report and transition plan required under subsections (c) and (d) of this Section, the Department shall utilize the assistance and expertise of pedestrian and bicycle safety organizations.