Illinois Tollway provides emerging leaders with insights into how it works for local improvements
2022-01-20
The Illinois Tollway provided up-and-coming engineering professionals with an in-depth look at the various ways transportation agencies can work in collaboration with local municipalities and other agencies to address regional transportation challenges.
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois Emerging Leadership Program hosted a presentation by Illinois Tollway Chief Planning Officer Rocco Zucchero, who shared his insights on the planning process and resources available to fund transportation projects.
“It’s all about upfront coordination,” Zucchero said. “If someone wants something, this is how it gets done – by working together to identify opportunities to improve mobility and accessibility and make the most of the limited financial resources available.”
Zucchero detailed the variety of resources available in planning transportation projects, including the Illinois Tollway Roadway and Interchange Cost Sharing Policy and planning studies to assess future travel demand and determine the most appropriate types of transportation improvements needed.
He also discussed the Tollway’s planning and design process, which can include establishing corridor planning councils made up of local elected officials, communities, regional agencies and others, as well as how to leverage funding such as federal Congestion and Mitigation Air-Quality grants.
Zucchero highlighted several real-world examples of roadway and interchange improvements that have been successfully delivered or are currently underway using this collaborative approach.
For example, the Tollway Roadway and Interchange Cost Sharing Policy served as a guide to working with the City of Marengo, McHenry County and IDOT to make improvements to the Illinois Route 23 Interchange. The policy establishes a framework for infrastructure improvements, requiring local communities to take the lead in demonstrating the need, soliciting support and covering no less than half the project costs.
On a larger scale, the Tollway established the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Corridor Planning Council to help develop a common understanding of the issues and concerns needed to be addressed in the reconstruction of the I-294 corridor. The council played a key role in developing a regional solution that maximizes the value of investments in the I-294 corridor to provide congestion relief, meet current and future travel needs, address several quality-of-life concerns, accommodate transit and freight needs, implement cutting-edge technologies and improve regional stormwater management.