HR1022 LRB093 15184 KEF 51774 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The extension of Interstate 355 was approved by
3 the General Assembly in 1993; and
 
4     WHEREAS, 99% of the land required to build the extension
5 has been acquired, and 98% of the utilities have been
6 relocated; and
 
7     WHEREAS, The extension of I-355 will serve Will County,
8 which is one of the fastest growing counties in Illinois;
9 growth projections over the next 20 years for the county
10 include 400,000 more residents and double the number of jobs;
11 and
 
12     WHEREAS, Without major improvements to the transportation
13 system serving Will County, travel times are expected to
14 increase by up to 50 percent; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Interstate 294 serves local, regional, and
16 interstate traffic and is a vital link in the transportation
17 network for the Chicago Metropolitan Area and Northwest
18 Indiana; and
 
19     WHEREAS, The widening of I-294 is compatible with the
20 adjacent Illinois and Indiana Department of Transportation
21 widening and reconstruction projects from I-94/IL 394 to U.S.
22 Route 41 in Indiana; and
 
23     WHEREAS, Traffic volumes along I-294 have continued to
24 increase, with the interstate carrying 615,000 vehicles daily,
25 accounting for 46% of the total number of vehicles on the
26 tollway system; and
 
27     WHEREAS, Traffic growth along I-294 is expected to continue
28 due to the anticipated growth in population, influx of new

 

 

HR1022 - 2 - LRB093 15184 KEF 51774 r

1 business, and the development associated with the proposed
2 South Suburban Airport; and
 
3     WHEREAS, The traffic congestion in Lake County continues to
4 be of great concern to many of its residents and local
5 government officials; therefore, be it
 
6     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
8 Interstate 294 should be widened to the specifications put
9 forth by the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, that Interstate
10 355 should be extended to Interstate 80, as also specified by
11 the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, and that the Illinois Toll
12 Highway Authority should continue to work with Lake County to
13 develop a stronger consensus regarding their transportation
14 needs, including the construction and funding of the north
15 extension of Route 53.