Tollway 2012 Budget: Capital Improvements, Toll Rate Hike

The Illinois Tollway‘s 2012 proposed budget includes $607 million for capital projects and $293 million in increased revenue, coming primarily from a  for passenger vehicles starting Jan. 1. 

The $607 million for capital projects includes $241 million for the first year of the agency’s new 15-year capital program Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, designed to improve mobility, relieve congestion, reduce pollution, create 120,000 jobs and link economies across the Midwest.

“This balanced budget provides the resources needed to launch the Move Illinois Program while holding the line on operating costs across the board,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “The 2012 budget will allow us to continue to provide a high level of service and break ground on new projects that will enhance regional mobility and, ultimately, save our customers time and money.”

Move Illinois projects in the budget are:

• Construction of the interchange at the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-57,
• Roadway rehabilitation on the central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) from 95th Street to Balmoral Avenue,
• Resurfacing on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) between Illinois Route 56 and Illinois Route 251,
• Completion of the Tri-Level Bridge project improving ramps connecting I-294 and I-90 and
• Construction of the interchange at Illinois Route 47 on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and bridge and shoulder widening to prepare for the I-90 rebuilding and widening work scheduled to begin in 2013.

In addition, the 2012 tentative budget provides $9.6 million for information technology system enhancements and $8.8 million for I-PASS transponder purchases and automatic coin collection machine repairs. Other spending includes $7.9 million for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) improvements to monitor and detect traffic incidents and $1.6 million for the Illinois State Police District 15 to enhance public safety.

Revenues are projected to increase $293 million, from $680 million in 2011 to $973 million in 2012, primarily fueled by an increase in toll prices for passenger vehicles that go into effect Jan. 1, 2012. Of the $973 million in estimated revenues, $963 million is from tolls and evasion recovery, $1 million is from investment income and $9 million is from concessions and miscellaneous revenue.

The toll rate increase will be 35 cents at a typical mainline toll plaza and cash-paying passenger vehicles will continue to pay double the I-PASS rate. With the typical 40-cent toll going to 75 cents, the cost of a car trip for an average I-PASS customer will be $1.18, up from the current average of 63 cents per trip and an increase of $2.75 a week or $11 a month.

The commercial vehicle increase previously approved by the Tollway Board in 2008 will remain in place. Commercial rates are scheduled to increase a total of 60 percent between 2015 and 2017 and are tied to the Consumer Price Index beginning in 2018.

Tollway officials say that even after the increase, the Illinois Tollway will rank 29 among all 41 toll road agencies in the U.S. in terms of price—still in the bottom third and an average of just 6 cents per mile.

These revenues will allow the Tollway to allocate $266 million for maintenance and operations, including increases of $5.3 million for credit card fees to accommodate increased revenue collection and $4.4 million for mandatory social security and employee retirement costs, according to the Tollway.

Officials also say that next year’s budget reduces utility expenditures by approximately $1 million due to efforts to reduce energy consumption and enhance energy efficiency and reduces insurance costs by more than $1 million. Further, the Tollway is maintaining its current head count of 1,598 employees, while preparing to take on the largest capital program in the agency’s history.

“This is a responsible budget that demonstrates how the Tollway is dedicated to maximizing operating efficiencies and minimizing costs,” said Illinois Tollway Board Chair Paula Wolff. “The Board is committed to increasing transparency and accountability and being open and honest about how our customers’ tolls are spent. We look forward to hearing their thoughts on this budget plan.”

A copy of the 2012 Tentative Budget is posted on the Tollway’s Web site at illinoistollway.com and may be requested by contacting the Illinois Tollway at 630-241-6800. Comments may be mailed to 2700 Ogden Ave., , IL 60515, or submitted via the Tollway’s Web site.

In addition, the Tollway is offering the following ways for members of the general public to participate in its budget process:

• Public Hearing—At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Tollway will hold a public hearing at its Downers Grove headquarters. The public is invited to attend in person or participate in a live Web cast hosted on the Tollway’s Web site at illinoistollway.com. Public comment will be accepted at the hearing, orally or in writing, as well as via the Web cast. Participants attending via the Web cast can send their comments to be read by the moderator during the hearing or request the virtual comment be submitted as a written comment. 

• Open House—From 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, the Tollway will host an open house at the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-80) in South Holland. The open house format will allow the public to view displays and a budget overview and ask questions of representatives from the Illinois Tollway. Public comment will be accepted in writing or can be shared orally for the record with a court reporter.

• Webinar—The Tollway will offer a virtual presentation of the 2012 Tentative Budget to allow the public to access the agency’s financial information at their convenience.  The Webinar will be posted on the Tollway’s Web site and features video with the 2012 tentative budget PowerPoint presentation.

A final budget is scheduled to be presented for approval at the Tollway’s Dec. 15 board meeting.

What do you think of the proposed budget and toll increase? Leave a comment below!