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* 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.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:45 pm
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Previous Post: The tax hike made a huge difference
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“The Rauner administration announced today that sections of I-55 have been repaired near Channahon in Grundy County.”
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:48 pm
A road to somewhere, but no one wants to cross to get there.
Comment by Retired Educator 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.”
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:49 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?
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:50 pm
i-57 south?
Comment by Just saying Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:52 pm
The “Bruce Rauner” Memorial Bridge. You all missed a great dedication ceremony!
Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:55 pm
A troubled bridge over water
Comment by Precinct Captain 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.
Comment by Clinton Sabin Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:59 pm
That is not a state road so call the county road comm chair & the superintendent.
Comment by Anonymous 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.
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:00 pm
WARNING: Limit 4 head of stock.
Comment by illinoyed Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:02 pm
The Rauner answer to your bridge issue is to take all the vehicles and people out of Union County
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:03 pm
A bridge too far.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:04 pm
Rauner agrees to release road funds to downstate county following official name change to “RightToWork County”
Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:05 pm
Illinois - We’re On the Road to Nowhere…
Comment by Mr. Smith 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.
Comment by Anon 62704 Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:06 pm
Give it a zip-up fleece vest
Comment by Ok Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:08 pm
To the caption, the obvious choice is: “Roads?! Where we’re going we don’t need roads!”
Comment by Anon 62704 Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:09 pm
With all due respect:
“What a piece of junk.”
Comment by Ambrose Chase Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:15 pm
“The Airquotes Bridge? That’s a funny name for a bridge.”
“That’s not its name, that’s its condition.”
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:17 pm
I think I see the bridge troll’s mailbox.
It says Madigan.
Comment by Anonish Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:18 pm
If it was good enough for your great-great Grandpa…
Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:21 pm
Ha. Rich Miller doesn’t have friends. He has “friends” with a political agenda.
Comment by Honey Bear Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:22 pm
Because Madigan!
Comment by JS Mill 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.
Comment by Jibba Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:24 pm
The box in the top right is where you put the liability waiver prior to crossing.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:25 pm
Better call Orkin.
Comment by Res Melius Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:25 pm
Unfortunately, bridge builder is not a costume the governor owns.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:29 pm
bruce’s home, as seen from above.
Comment by Homer J. Quinn Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:31 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.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:38 pm
Illinois taxpayers have to walk the plank in more ways than one
Comment by frisbee Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:40 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”.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:46 pm
Bridges of Madison County (without a state budget)
Comment by Baloneymous Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:47 pm
The Bridges of Madigan County
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:48 pm
Put some asphalt over that and it would look much better.
Comment by Arhur Andersen Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:49 pm
Don’t let Rauner see this pic, he’ll claim his immigrant grandfather built it.
Comment by Reserved Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:50 pm
“Quick, Mr. Frodo, over the bridge!”
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:50 pm
The road to good infrastructure is paved with adequate tax revenue.
Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:54 pm
Like a bridge over troubled waters… is that Florida on the other side?
Comment by 44th Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:01 pm
Expecting to lose her primary source of income in January, the Lt. Governor found the location for her next public appearance.
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:03 pm
“Keeps Out the Tourists”
– Residents of Lake Drive, just East of Town
Comment by Alto Pass Welcomes You Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:04 pm
A bridge too far gone.
Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:10 pm
Just like the bridges in Italy…sigh
Comment by d.p.gumby Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:12 pm
Bruce Rauner’s rickety path to re-election.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:23 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.
Comment by Enemy of the State Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:26 pm
Ah, the famous bridge that Lincoln crossed on the campaign trail. Oddly enough that bridge hasn’t had any maintenance or repairs since.
Comment by peteypablo Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:53 pm
Are you saying that your friend drove a motor vehicle with 4 wheels over that thing?
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 4:55 pm
Antiques Roadshow.
Comment by Bigtwich Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:09 pm
The township is working on a RFP solicitation for a P3 to replace the bridge to be funded using tolls.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:18 pm
Posted bridge load rating - 1 horse pulling a buggy at a slow walk.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:28 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.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:29 pm
We will make it a toll bridge. Problem solved.
Comment by a drop in Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 5:39 pm
Our 45 passenger tour bus went over that bridge. It’s stronger than it looks, I hope.
Comment by OldIllini Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:01 pm
Let’s see if Bruce is brave enough to ride his motorcycle over it.
Comment by Nobody Sent Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:03 pm
Look for the Union Label…
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:18 pm
Bruce Rauner’s path to victory.
Comment by TKMH Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:30 pm
“Where The Blacktop Ends” (Keith Urban)
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:35 pm
Is that bridge along 127 or 51?
Comment by My New Handle Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 6:53 pm
New non-prevailing wage bridge unveiled.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 7:18 pm
To save money all future bridges will be built with the same materials used when lincoln was President.
Comment by Not It Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 9:01 pm
Pension ramp.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 10:35 pm
These are some of the best captions ever.
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 10:54 pm
What happens when so much of your budget goes to pensions
Comment by anon Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 8:11 am
What costume will Governor Rauner wear to visit this site? Harley pirate clothes, cowboy, or plaid farmer dude, oh maybe hunter.
Comment by Publius Thursday, Jul 26, 18 @ 8:46 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.
Comment by From the Zoo Friday, Jul 27, 18 @ 10:30 am