Caption contest!
Wednesday, Jul 25, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sam Dunklau at NPR Illinois…
Since the state last paid for a majority of road costs in 2000, construction costs have increased 61 percent, according to the Federal Highway Administration. State funds for transportation, however, have fluctuated and on average, remained largely static in that amount of time.
This kind of works like the pension problem: pension costs increase over time, but the state’s appropriation for those costs have simply not kept up. That’s how we end up billions behind in that arena and this one.
Though far less expensive by comparison, even maintaining the roads isn’t cheap. To show just how stretched Illinois’ infrastructure budget is. IDOT Officials are shooting for Illinois roads to be at or better than a “fair” condition between now and 2024. That’s the second to last rating on its pavement condition scale.
[Kevin Burke of the Illinois Asphalt and Pavement Association] says, if that’s the goal, a commute probably won’t get any better; in fact, he warns Illinois roads are probably going get a lot worse.
* A buddy of mine who has worked in southern Illinois for years said he’d driven over three creaky old bridges today in rural Union County. He texted me a pic of one of them…
Have at it.
- Colin O'Scopy - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:48 pm:
“The Rauner administration announced today that sections of I-55 have been repaired near Channahon in Grundy County.”
- Retired Educator - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:49 pm:
A road to somewhere, but no one wants to cross to get there.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:49 pm:
“This bridge has the added safety feature of turning into its own raft in the event of collapse.”
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:50 pm:
Serious question. What happened to that gas tax lock box thing? If tax money cannot be diverted shouldn’t there be money available for roads? Or did it just turn out to be like lottery money for schools?
- Just saying - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:52 pm:
i-57 south?
- Joe M - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:55 pm:
The “Bruce Rauner” Memorial Bridge. You all missed a great dedication ceremony!
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:59 pm:
A troubled bridge over water
- Clinton Sabin - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:59 pm:
DuPage Saint - There isn’t enough money to protect to pay for all the projects the public wants let alone needs.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:00 pm:
That is not a state road so call the county road comm chair & the superintendent.
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:00 pm:
Press availability: Governor Rauner, in his Paul Bunyan costume, will be at this spot at 2pm tomorrow to lead neighbors’ repair of this bridge.
- illinoyed - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:02 pm:
WARNING: Limit 4 head of stock.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:03 pm:
The Rauner answer to your bridge issue is to take all the vehicles and people out of Union County
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:04 pm:
A bridge too far.
- Jake From Elwood - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:05 pm:
Rauner agrees to release road funds to downstate county following official name change to “RightToWork County”
- Mr. Smith - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:06 pm:
Illinois - We’re On the Road to Nowhere…
- Anon 62704 - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:06 pm:
==Serious question. What happened to that gas tax lock box thing? If tax money cannot be diverted shouldn’t there be money available for roads? Or did it just turn out to be like lottery money for schools?==
The problem, as the article points out, is that revenue from gas tax and user fees is basically flat, while the cost of construction & maintainance is rising. Money is available, but it’s increasingly not enough to adequately maintain our infrastructure.
- Ok - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:08 pm:
Give it a zip-up fleece vest
- Anon 62704 - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:09 pm:
To the caption, the obvious choice is: “Roads?! Where we’re going we don’t need roads!”
- Ambrose Chase - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:15 pm:
With all due respect:
“What a piece of junk.”
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:17 pm:
“The Airquotes Bridge? That’s a funny name for a bridge.”
“That’s not its name, that’s its condition.”
- Anonish - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
I think I see the bridge troll’s mailbox.
It says Madigan.
- Jibba - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:21 pm:
If it was good enough for your great-great Grandpa…
- Honey Bear - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:22 pm:
Ha. Rich Miller doesn’t have friends. He has “friends” with a political agenda.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:24 pm:
Because Madigan!
- Jibba - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:24 pm:
The top of this covered bridge was the valuable part. It was split off into a separate corporation and sold.
- Jocko - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:25 pm:
The box in the top right is where you put the liability waiver prior to crossing.
- Res Melius - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:25 pm:
Better call Orkin.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:29 pm:
Unfortunately, bridge builder is not a costume the governor owns.
- Homer J. Quinn - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:31 pm:
bruce’s home, as seen from above.
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:38 pm:
Obviously a pre-Janus bridge in Union County.
In Right-to-Work County, all the bridges are big, strong, gleaming - and came in under budget.
- frisbee - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:40 pm:
Illinois taxpayers have to walk the plank in more ways than one
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:46 pm:
Union County Commissioner, Dusti Roads, said the bridge is ‘elderly’, but well maintained. “Ever 3rd summer, we switch the horizontals with the verticles, and it seems to work pretty darn good”.
- Baloneymous - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:47 pm:
Bridges of Madison County (without a state budget)
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:48 pm:
The Bridges of Madigan County
- Arhur Andersen - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:49 pm:
Put some asphalt over that and it would look much better.
- Reserved - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:50 pm:
Don’t let Rauner see this pic, he’ll claim his immigrant grandfather built it.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:50 pm:
“Quick, Mr. Frodo, over the bridge!”
- Earnest - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:54 pm:
The road to good infrastructure is paved with adequate tax revenue.
- 44th - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:01 pm:
Like a bridge over troubled waters… is that Florida on the other side?
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:03 pm:
Expecting to lose her primary source of income in January, the Lt. Governor found the location for her next public appearance.
- Alto Pass Welcomes You - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:04 pm:
“Keeps Out the Tourists”
– Residents of Lake Drive, just East of Town
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:10 pm:
A bridge too far gone.
- d.p.gumby - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:12 pm:
Just like the bridges in Italy…sigh
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:23 pm:
Bruce Rauner’s rickety path to re-election.
- Enemy of the State - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:26 pm:
Rauner press release: To attract even more tourist dollars Governor Rauner announces the first Illinois Wooden Bridge Tour modeled after the covered bridge tour found in a neighboring state.
- peteypablo - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:53 pm:
Ah, the famous bridge that Lincoln crossed on the campaign trail. Oddly enough that bridge hasn’t had any maintenance or repairs since.
- SAP - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:55 pm:
Are you saying that your friend drove a motor vehicle with 4 wheels over that thing?
- Bigtwich - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:09 pm:
Antiques Roadshow.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:18 pm:
The township is working on a RFP solicitation for a P3 to replace the bridge to be funded using tolls.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:28 pm:
Posted bridge load rating - 1 horse pulling a buggy at a slow walk.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:29 pm:
What is not mentioned is that in 2000 the local road system (Counties and Townships) received zero of the increase in license fees. This system has the majority of the bridges and roads and their share of the funding has dramatically decreased over time in relation to the increase in costs.
- a drop in - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:39 pm:
We will make it a toll bridge. Problem solved.
- OldIllini - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:01 pm:
Our 45 passenger tour bus went over that bridge. It’s stronger than it looks, I hope.
- Nobody Sent - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:03 pm:
Let’s see if Bruce is brave enough to ride his motorcycle over it.
- Anon - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:18 pm:
Look for the Union Label…
- TKMH - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:30 pm:
Bruce Rauner’s path to victory.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:35 pm:
“Where The Blacktop Ends” (Keith Urban)
- My New Handle - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:53 pm:
Is that bridge along 127 or 51?
- Stumpy's bunker - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 7:18 pm:
New non-prevailing wage bridge unveiled.
- Not It - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 9:01 pm:
To save money all future bridges will be built with the same materials used when lincoln was President.
- walker - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 10:35 pm:
Pension ramp.
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 10:54 pm:
These are some of the best captions ever.
- anon - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 8:11 am:
What happens when so much of your budget goes to pensions
- Publius - Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 8:46 am:
What costume will Governor Rauner wear to visit this site? Harley pirate clothes, cowboy, or plaid farmer dude, oh maybe hunter.
- From the Zoo - Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 10:30 am:
==Serious question. What happened to that gas tax lock box thing? If tax money cannot be diverted shouldn’t there be money available for roads? Or did it just turn out to be like lottery money for schools?== [DuPage Saint]
The problem, as the article points out, is that revenue from gas tax and user fees is basically flat, while the cost of construction & maintainance is rising. Money is available, but it’s increasingly not enough to adequately maintain our infrastructure## [Anon 62704]
Also, $300million was diverted from IDOT budget to transit services (i.e. RTA, etc.) that were previously appropriated out of the General Fund. The Lock Box amendment guaranteed the funds to be used for practically any transportation related expenditures, not just roads.