Chicago Metropolis 2020, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Metropolitan Planning Council -- co-leaders of Business Leaders for Transportation -- have collaborated on principles to guide discussion of a new state transportation capital program.
A Joint Statement by: Chicago Metropolis 2020, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce , & the Metropolitan Planning Council
The state’s transportation system of highways, railroads and mass transit has been vital to economic growth throughout the state, and a new state capital program is required to complete needed repairs and expansion. However, if the capital program is simply a list of projects without an integrated plan, the limited dollars available could be wasted and opportunities for economic growth missed. Before supporting a new capital program, the business community and public need assurance that the program is well planned, balanced, and designed to best achieve long-term goals. The next State transportation capital program should be based on the following principles.
USE AN ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT PLANNING PROCESS.
A new state capital program should reflect priorities set by regional planning agencies, counties and municipalities and be in accord with regional plans for growth and transportation. Program details should be made public well in advance of legislative approval. Program goals should be clear and measurable. A portion of the program should be allocated to finance integrated regional planning for growth and transportation.
INVEST IN TRANSIT, ROADS AND FREIGHT.
Maintaining the current transportation system should be the top priority. State funds should be used equitably to benefit all regions of the state. To assist economic development and relieve traffic congestion on our highways, the State should give equal priority to investments in roads and transit. The State should provide the RTA adequate revenue to maximize federal funds. The State should also make a substantial investment in the CREATE rail improvement program that will remove major freight bottlenecks in northeast Illinois .
SUPPORT THE PROGRAM WITH NEW REVENUE .
New revenues must be adequate to fully pay for the borrowing required of any new capital program. Current operating funds should not be diverted to pay for debt. User fees such as motor fuel taxes, registration fees and tolls should fund the highway program and not be diverted to non-transportation uses. The State should consider revising the motor fuel tax to keep pace with inflation and implement user fees, fares and tolls with variable pricing to encourage more efficient use of system capacity.
EMPHASIZE INNOVATION.
The State should: invest in technology that will make travel easier, safer and more efficient; invest in transit and freight oriented development; target investments to areas with affordable workforce housing near jobs and communities with high unemployment; and use public-private partnerships to leverage investment of private capital to build and operate transportation facilities.