Politics & Government

Tollway Board's Approval of $12 Billion Capital Plan Forces Drivers to Pony Up

Toll increases will take effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

Come Jan. 1, drivers who frequent Illinois toll roads will forking over at least 35 cents more at each plaza.

But that 35-cent boost pertains to I-Pass users. For those who still pay cash, the price jumps 70 cents more.

All increases are thanks to a 7-1 vote Thursday by the Illinois Tollway Board that approved a $12 billion capital plan. The plan will be financed by bonds backed by the toll increase, according to a news release sent today from the Illinois Tollway.

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The money will be used to pay for capital road projects including the Elgin-O’Hare West Bypass, officials have said.

“We are confident that the vast majority of customers and communities we serve stand behind us in support of this 15-year investment in the Illinois Tollway’s future,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur, in the news release. “Now is the time to move forward with these critical infrastructure improvements to provide congestion relief on the Tollway and coordination with the other transportation and transit agencies to do something new and innovative with an eye to the region's future transportation needs.”

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Chicago Tribune reported that since Aug. 18 the on the proposal throughout the area, but those meetings mostly drew supporters and those in the construction industry who would benefit from road projects. 

The cost of a trip on the tollway system for the average I-Pass driver will increase to $1.18—up from today’s average of 63 cents per trip. That's a boost of $2.75 a week or $11 a month.

After the rate changes, the tollway will rank 29 among all 41 toll road agencies in the U.S. when it comes to price—still in the bottom third and an average of just 6 cents per mile.

The 15-year, $12 billion capital plan includes $8.32 billion to fund necessary improvements to the existing tollway.

Projects slated for completion under the capital plan include:

  • Reconstructing and widening the 52-year-old Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) from the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to Rockford
  •  Reconstructing more than 20 miles of the central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Edens Spur (I-94)
  • Preserving the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)
  • Preserving the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)
  • Repairing roads, bridges and maintenance facilities
  • Other capital projects, including local interchanges

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