There's more to transportation than highways

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 10:00 PM

This letter concerns the plan by IDOT to expand the Eisenhower between Austin and Harlem. As an Oak Park resident for 11 years and a member and chairman of the Environment & Energy Commission, I have consistently advocated for improved mass transit with accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

The IDOT plans to expand the Eisenhower ignore the evidence and results of studies that have examined transportation issues in the region. The expansion of the Hillside strangler by Governor Ryan only moved the traffic jams ... but didn't remove it. The best way to alleviate the congestion is to expand and improve mass transit and promote alternative travel options such as biking and walking.

Apparently, 85 percent of the transportation budget currently goes to highways and roads and only 15 percent to mass transit.

It's time for these figures change. It's good for the environment, the economy and community safety.

Ilhan Avcioglu
Oak Park

Reader Comments

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Comment Policy

Just Sayin'

Posted: July 13th, 2012 4:23 PM

There will be an excuse when this next in a series of grand IDOT visions is proven a failure on all levels, too. The Trib and others identified the Hillside Strangler project as one of Illinois' Top 10 Transportation Blunders for a reason - not simply because the 25th railroad trestle wasn't widened. R U kidding? What will they call this one when it costs ten times more and delivers the same benefits: NONE? Add a lane, take one away east of Austin, and dump into worst bottleneck in the nation???

Cdonovan2

Posted: July 11th, 2012 10:51 AM

The writer is correct, the Hillside Strangler only moved the traffic jamb east. That is because Gov. Ryan's Build Illinois Program wasn't fully funded and finished. Had it been so then the next bottleneck, the railroad trestle near 25th Avenue would also have been made wider, instead there is the continuing problem.

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