HR0699 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0699 LRB102 26515 MST 37058 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and partnered with the Iowa Department of Transportation, desired to replace the I-80 bridge over the Mississippi River in Rock Island County; and

WHEREAS, It was determined that the Illinois Department of Transportation will be the lead agency, with Iowa and Illinois sharing costs equally; the job number for the project is P-92-013-15; the structure number is 081-0011; and

WHEREAS, On October 21, 2020, the Illinois Department of Transportation selected Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. to prepare a combined design report and environmental impact statement (EIS) for the structure that carries I-80 over the Mississippi River; and

WHEREAS, Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. was additionally tasked with determining, as part of the design report and EIS, whether it is possible that the proposed improvements could include total replacement and widening of the structure and whether that should be on new alignment; various alternatives will be studied to determine the most viable solution for this corridor; impacts to the interchanges of I-80/IL 84 (IL side), which also crosses the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railroad, and I-80/US 67 (IA side) may need to be explored as the project develops; and

WHEREAS, As part of the phase 1 process, the Illinois Department of Transportation has been asked by the Bison Bridge Foundation to consider as an alternative the repurposing of the existing I-80 structure; a potential savings of over $30 million is possible by the elimination of the removal of the existing structure and not having to implement a multi-use facility on the proposed new structure; and

WHEREAS, By repurposing the existing structure, in addition to offering savings to taxpayers, the Project has the potential to generate additional funds from increased tourism, economic development, improved quality of life, and the retention of the younger workforce in the area; and

WHEREAS, The Bison Bridge Foundation has shown the willingness to accept the existing structure at no cost to the Department and is willing to work with both the Illinois and Iowa Departments of Transportation and the FHWA to provide a facility that is conducive to the promotion of its goals of attracting tourism, increasing economic development, providing a multi-use facility, and promoting the Mississippi River area; and

WHEREAS, The Bison Bridge Foundation proposes this project at no cost to the departments of transportation or the FHWA; instead, funding for this project will be accomplished by private and corporate donations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Governor and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to develop plans for the new I-80 bridge structure that includes the incorporation of the Bison Bridge structure; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and the Bison Bridge Foundation.