The Chicago region faces a transportation crisis. A growing regional economy, the dispersal of people and jobs to all corners of the six-county region (and away from established rail transit services) and more cars and trucks on virtually the same amount of road space have swamped the region’s road network.
The problem is expected to get worse as future economic growth–a projected 25 percent increase in people by the year 2020–strains the aging transportation network. Consider this:
– The Chicago region’s traffic is fifth worst in the country, costing residents and employers $2.8 billion, or more than $700 per employee, per year.
– One third of Illinois’ urban highways are congested during the morning and afternoon rush hours as the number of cars has grown faster than our ability to fund and build roads.
– Regional transit has lost one-third of its ridership since the early 1980s; a lost transit rider usually becomes a new driver on already-congested roads.
– Significant portions of the region’s road and transit networks are in serious trouble due to consistent underfunding of repairs.
The crisis must be addressed by the General Assembly during the spring session. That’s why the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce have brought together more than 10,000 employers as Business Leaders for Transportation–a regional coalition working to focus the attention of the legislature on surface transportation needs in 1997.
Not acting during this legislative session threatens the region’s position as a national transportation hub. Quite simply, doing nothing means falling behind. Business Leaders for Transportation supports an increased level of investment in the region’s road and transit network.
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But more money alone won’t solve the region’s transportation crisis. The strategy must be targeted to the renewal of highly used road and transit networks plus lower-cost technological or management plans that squeeze more capacity out of existing transportation facilities. Transportation agencies must continue to reduce operating costs to generate more resources for repairing facilities and expanding services.
What sort of returns can Illinoisans expect for the increased investment? For starters, we can expect growth in the local economy as improved transportation connects employees to new jobs and businesses to new markets. A recent study found that $1 invested to improve Chicago regional transit generates $6 in economic benefits to the residents of Illinois. With increased investments and bold strategies for addressing congestion, we can start whittling away at the time wasted in daily traffic jams.
During the coming weeks, Business Leaders for Transportation will continue to work with transportation leaders and our elected officials to sound the alarm and ensure that a transportation strategy is crafted this year. We will continue to offer ideas to lawmakers and push for action. We can’t afford not to.