History

Illinois is the 5th most populous of the 50 United States, and transportation has held an important role in creating and shaping the state. With Illinois' vast multi-modal network, residents, visitors, and businesses rely on the transportation system to foster economic, social, educational and cultural activity. This is evident by the millions of users who utilize Illinois roads and trails, waterways, airports, inter-city rail and public transportation options within the transportation network across the state.

The purpose of the Long Range State Transportation Plan (Plan) is to set forth policies and goals that guide the development of the state transportation system. The Plan identifies issues and key needs that will guide IDOT in their investment decisions for the state transportation system over the forthcoming twenty years.

To comply with state law, the existing Long Range State Transportation Plan that was updated in December 2007 will be renewed and submitted to the Governor, General Assembly, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration by December 31, 2012.

Challenges in planning for the future

IDOT faces substantial challenges in planning for the future.

Among these challenges is assuring the prudent and productive use of restricted funding resources to preserve the state transportation system, provide for safe travel, and support the standard of living for all residents of Illinois. IDOT is required to consider how its investments enrich the economic viability of Illinois business community, impact the environment and increase safety and mobility for multi-modal system users, while paying close attention to sustainability and human capital investment.

Rather than a specific list of projects, the plan provides the overarching strategic framework for the future direction of transportation in Illinois. Difficult decisions will be necessary to address current and emerging transportation problems and concerns. Preserving the value and usefulness of the State's past investments in highways, transit, airports, waterways, railroads, and trails remains a daunting task for the Department. This must be achieved while enhancing the system with particular interest in safety, sustainability, movement of freight, multi-modal interconnectivity, human capital investment, increased services in intercity rail and public transportation and improved bike-pedestrian infrastructure.

IDOT will consider the following eight policy factors in development of the Plan:

• Safety for all transportation users.
• Preserving and managing the existing infrastructure.
• Accommodating future growth in population and employment.
• Support of global economic competitiveness.
• Transportation for underserved populations such as the elderly, low-income and the persons with disabilities.
• Protecting the environment.
• Securing adequate funding for maintaining, improving and ensuring efficient operation of the transportation systems.
• Security to protect the State's valuable assets and ensure the continued operation of the system.

Additional emphasis will be placed on:

• The development of innovative solutions to increase sustainability within the infrastructure system and to share a commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.
• Improved efficiency and expanded capability of multi-modal connections to move people, goods and services in a combination of two or more modes of transportation.
• Creation of a comprehensive statewide freight mobility plan to identify inefficiencies in the system(s), address short and long term needs and potential solutions for all modes involved.
• An investment in human capital to address local transportation needs and put people to work throughout Illinois. A healthy, skilled, trained labor force increases the attractiveness of the State of Illinois to business enterprise.

The Plan update will address these issues as well as identify trends, challenges and transportation policies through a set of special reports that will be developed as supporting documents for the overall Plan.