Illinois Transportation Secretary Announces Public Meetings in Preparation of Future Road Program

Early Input Needed for Planning and Development of Upcoming Multi-Year Transportation Program

OTTAWA, IL –Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig today announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will seek early input into the development of its upcoming Multi-Year Road Program for Highway Improvements for Fiscal Years 2012-2017 by hosting 20 informational and feedback sessions in communities throughout the state.

The public meeting for the Kankakee Urbanized Area will be held on September 7, 2010, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Kankakee City Library (4th floor conference room), 201 W. Merchant Street, Kankakee to give residents and businesses in the area a chance to better understand and weigh in on project priorities over the next five to seven years.

“With a robust construction season in full swing, we want to get an early start on our plans for our upcoming road program,” said Secretary Hannig. “It is important to us that we hear from the public about the projects that are important to their communities.”

The proposed Multi-Year Program (MYP) is based on conservative estimates of local, federal and state funding, including funding from Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, enacted in 2009. The Multi-Year Program for the current FY 2011-2016 totals about $12.84 billion and focuses on maintenance of the current road system.

The public meeting will be conducted on an informal basis and no formal presentation is planned. IDOT staff will be present to answer any questions related to the state highway program, planning and project development process.

The public will have an opportunity to comment on the development of the proposed MYP, existing programming procedures, and other information. The meeting also will provide information to prospective contractors about programs in place to assist small business enterprises, including businesses owned and operated by minorities and women, and other programs undertaken by IDOT.

Comment sheets will be provided for those in attendance who wish to provide a written statement. Comments received at this meeting or sent to District 3 Office by close of business on November 1, 2010, will be included in the meeting record. The same material will be available for review and inspection at the District 3 Office at 700 East Norris Drive in Ottawa, Illinois, 61350 after the mentioned meeting dates.

These meetings will be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Anyone needing special assistance should contact Tom Magolan at 815-434-8472. Persons planning to attend who will need a sign language interpreter or other similar accommodations should notify the Department through its TTY/TTD number at 800-526-0844 at least five days prior to the meeting.