The Illinois Tollway Board has voted to approve a more than $26 billion capital program funded by massive toll rate increases of approximately 60% for passenger vehicles beginning in January.
The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors on Wednesday approved Driving Connections, a $26.5 billion capital program across the Tollway system through 2042, in a 8-0 vote in an effort to address congestion, aging infrastructure and transportation needs of the region.
The board also approved new passenger and commercial vehicle toll rates to fund the program beginning January 1.
It was the first increase in more than 15 years and the board says it is to ensure rates remain below the national average.
The Driving Connections program is focused on rebuilding and rehabilitating roads and bridges, improving interchanges and access, reducing traffic delays and making the systemwide investments to keep nearly 300 miles of the tollway “safe and reliable.”
“This investment is about planning responsibly for the future of a transportation system that is critical to our region,” Illinois Tollway Board Chairman Arnie Rivera said.
“The Driving Connections capital program earned the support of the Tollway Board of Directors because connecting people and businesses through smart planning, strategic partnerships and collaborative projects will deliver benefits for the entire region,” Rivera said.
The Illinois Tollway says the action is the culmination of more than two years of “strategic planning, analysis and public engagement.”
The work included hosting 13 public hearings across the 12 counties served by the tollway and gathering more than 13,000 comments, with customers identifying affordability, well-maintained roadways and fewer traffic delays among their priorities.
“We listened, we planned and now we have a responsibility to deliver,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said.
“Nearly 1.7 million drivers rely on this system every day, and our responsibility extends well beyond the next construction season. We know where congestion is growing, and we know how our infrastructure ages. Driving Connections gives us a responsible path to meet those needs and keep Northern Illinois moving for the next generation,” Rouse said.
The new capital program will be primarily funded through toll revenue, which will be supported by toll rate increases for both passenger and commercial vehicles that will take effect on January 1.
Funding for infrastructure improvements will also be generated through “biennial” toll rate adjustments for all vehicles tied to the Consumer Price Index.
The Illinois Tollway is a user-funded system that receives no state or federal tax dollars.
The new toll rate updates will support annual maintenance and operations, along with debt service for revenue bonds used to fund capital improvements for the tollway system, officials said.
I-PASS passenger vehicle drivers will see an increase of approximately 57%, from an average of $0.07 per mile to approximately $0.11 per mile. Commercial vehicles will see an approximately 30% increase.
All toll rates moving forward will also be adjusted every other year, beginning in 2029, without a vote to account for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index.