Chicago Tribune
August 18, 2003
Jon Hilkevitch:
Long-range projects to improve roads, mass transit, air travel and intercity passenger rail in Illinois and across the U.S. may take even longer to complete because key legislation funding the work won't emerge from Congress this year.
The funding delay, if not resolved in early 2004, would have serious consequences for cash-strapped Illinois, which is counting on increased distributions from the federal gasoline tax to keep local transportation programs afloat. A lapse in new federal money would create a triple-whammy, combined with the sluggish state economy and the end of Illinois FIRST funding next year.
Only two months ago, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) predicted confidently that new transportation funding, to replace the six-year funding bill that expires in September, would be approved on time.
But only a six-month extension of current funding will be passed after Congress returns from its August recess, according to an agreement reached by leaders from both parties.
"It means no new funding until we get a new bill passed, hopefully by March," said a top congressional leader. "As long as we get it done, [the funding delay] shouldn't have a terrible impact. But it's not good."
He said there is agreement in Congress to pass a six-year, $375 billion federal transportation bill. Most of the money, $275 billion, would come from transportation trust funds. Bonds would be relied upon to come up with the remaining $100 billion.
Mega-projects in Illinois vying for new federal funding include the expansion of O'Hare International Airport, Metra's proposed STAR Line from Joliet to O'Hare, the CTA's Circle Line, regional freight rail improvements and Hastert's pet project, the Prairie Parkway beltway linking Interstate Highways 88 and 80.