Stimulus an opportunity to fund transportation

With the economy in peril, all eyes are on President Barack Obama’s shot-in-the-arm economic stimulus package. You can play a critical role right now by making sure elected officials know you want smart transportation investments.

The package, which could total nearly $1 trillion, will likely include $25 to $100 billion for transportation; and we are working for a fair share of that money to go toward bike, pedestrian and transit projects. We are also pushing for a portion of the funds to go directly to cities because cities are more likely to select multi-modal complete streets projects.

While the details of distributing these funds are still being negotiated, this is how it will likely work out:
· Once the exact figures have been hammered out, each state or city targeted to receive funds will compile a list of “shovel-ready” projects – those that are engineered and ready to move forward with construction by summer 2009.
· Lists submitted to the federal government cannot change.
· A deadline will be set for all projects to be underway. Any projects not beginning construction within 2 or 3 months would be lost.

Unfortunately, states that have disclosed wish lists so far are not expanding transportation choices. According to Transportation for America, “Our analysis of the project lists submitted by state Departments of Transportation describing how they plan to spend transportation stimulus funds reveals a distinct bias in favor of projects that would increase oil consumption and global warming pollution.”

Illinois appears to be doing better. Our Department of Transportation is planning to submit a list mostly comprising resurfacing and bridge repair projects.

We support these “fix-it first” projects that focus on bridges, roads and transit in need of repair; but, the point is that there is enough money to include other projects that improve biking, walking and transit.

Illinois residents deserve more transportation options than their cars. Investing this money to expand transportation options would exponentially improve residents’ quality of life. From connecting gaps in our trail networks to buying hybrid buses, this money can potentially relieve Illinoisans’ wallets, waistline and environment.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects

Burnham Greenway (South Cook County)
Bike boulevards and bike lanes (Chicago)
Deerfield Road Bike Path (Lake County)
Safe Routes to School Will-Center Road sidewalk (Monee)
Illinois Prairie Path Bridge over EJ&E Railroad (DuPage County)
Stearns Road Bridge at Fox River (Kane County)
Chicago Avenue streetscape (Evanston)
Sidewalk and ADA curb ramp improvements (all communities)

Transit

Bus rapid transit (CTA)
Eliminate slow zones (CTA)
Green and bike-friendly buses (CTA and Pace)

We have not seen a public works investment of this size since the development of the interstate system. Let’s seize this historic opportunity to give us transportation that responds to the environmental and economic challenges of our time.

Illinois residents should not have to be tied to their cars. Improving biking, walking and transit expands those choices and makes Illinois’ people, environment and communities healthier.
Let us know who you called. Contact Dan Persky at dan@activetrans.org or 312.427.3325 x229