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Blagojevich underestimates timeline on new roads project
By Kartikay Mehrotra
kartikay.mehrotra@lee.net
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SPRINGFIELD -- Even if lawmakers and the governor can agree on a statewide construction plan before the last scheduled day of the legislative session on May 31, it could be several months before the bulldozers begin rumbling.

The dirt digging for roads, bridges and schools will certainly not begin before July 4, as Gov. Rod Blagojevich suggested Thursday.

“If (the General Assembly) can get a capital bill done sooner rather than later, then the shovels will be in the ground before the Fourth of July,” Blagojevich told the Lee Springfield Bureau. “But it’s up to the legislature to do this and do it quickly.”

Blagojevich’s own transportation department says some new construction could get under way in the latter part of the summer construction season, but that would require on-going planning and preparations from this point forward.

“It is possible that some projects could be started in late summer or fall, but it depends on issues like how much engineering has previously been done on specific projects and how much right of way needs to be acquired,” Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Claffey said. “A more significant number would begin in 2009 and I believe the funding would be spent over three to four years.”

While a date for the new projects and how much they cost are all very relevant issues, the million dollar question in Springfield is where will the state find money to pay for a multi-billion dollar construction plan.

On Thursday, the governor hosted a meeting in his Capitol office with former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard, who are spearheading talks about getting a statewide construction program on the books.

The meeting, which included leaders of the House and Senate, focused on spending scenarios at different funding levels. No decisions were made.

“It was an exercise in what would you buy if you were spending this much or that much money,” said House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago. “They have agreed to come back in two weeks time with a package of potential revenue sources which will obviously help decide the question: How big is the capital plan?”

“Obviously this is still a work in progress,” said Hastert. “Our next step is to go ahead and look at revenue sources possible that you can put together.”

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Reader comments on this story - 2 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

middle of the road wrote on Apr 19, 2008 8:31 AM:

" the motor fuel tax that we all pay is calculated as a percentage of the sale. Since fuel has gone up so much in the last few years. the state should of had a wind fall in monies for roads. A year or so ago there where articles in this paper about the Gov. TAKING motor fuel monies for other uses. Where did it go, blago "

chickenman wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:05 PM:

" Barbara Flynn D-Chicago,

The one thing I you are not counting on buying with that kind of money is the voters of Illinois support. It is time for a tea party and throw all these bums out! "
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