The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority recently proposed a comprehensive $5.5 billion system-wide reconstruction and widening program requiring the first toll increase in almost 20 years. The proposed increase is only the third toll increase in the Illinois Tollway’s 44-year history of operation. The Illinois Tollway is a user-based system, receiving no state or federal tax dollars for daily operations.

Supported by the Board of Directors, Illinois Tollway Chairman Arthur Philip said the 15-year capital construction program, which would begin to be funded by toll increases in 2002, is the only realistic and fiscally responsible solution that rebuilds and widens worn-out roadways as well as improve travel and relieves congestion. The proposed toll increase would only be used to fund the reconstruction and widening of the existing system. No plan was announced to fund the I-355 South Extension in Will County or either alternative proposed by the Lake county Transportation Improvement Project at this time.

“Continuing a program of Band-Aid maintenance will only lead to more frequent construction, increased congestion and ultimately, a waste of toll-payers’ money,” Philip said. “It is time for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to do the responsible thing. It is time to rebuild. No action is no longer an option.”

The Board of Directors considered three toll rate increase scenarios including plans that would increase the base 40-cent rate in 2002 by either 10 cents, 35 cents or 60 cents. In the end, the Board opted to pursue adoption of a 35-cent toll rate increase in 2002 for cash-paying cars, along with a 10 percent discount for I-PASS electronic toll collection users. The Board also recommended a second increase would be necessary in 2010 to complete this plan. However, the Board will not act on any future increases.

Without the proposed toll rate increase, the Illinois Tollway projects revenue shortfalls in late 2003 and is unable to address the critical rebuilding and widening desperately needed throughout the Illinois Tollway System. In addition, current funding levels do not allow for other improvements such as I-PASS Express lanes, new interchanges and soundwalls, which are needed to improve efficiency and convenience system-wide.

Improvements in the proposed Capital Program for the Northwest Tollway, I-90, the East-West Tollway, I-88, the Tri-State Tollway, I-294/I-94/I-80, and the North-South Tollway, I-355, include:

• Rebuilding 234 miles of crumbling roadway;

• Widening critical areas to include 194 new lane miles for congestion relief;

• Reconstructing and widening 222 bridges and redecking 126 bridges; and,

• Construction of 72 new I-PASS Express lanes

Originally set at 30 cents in 1958, tolls were last increased in 1983 to the current 40-cent rate. Passage of a new toll rate increase will require public hearings in 12 counties in northeastern Illinois before the Board of Directors can vote on the proposal.