SSMMA Transportation Committee: Good news and bad news

by Thomas Vander Woude

First the bad news…

In Washington D.C., MAP-21 is set to expire on May 31, 2015; at the same time, the Highway Trust Fund is set run out of money. Since 2008, the federal government has poured $62 billion into bailing out the fund. It currently only generates about $34 billion a year, while federal transportation spending has been closer to $50 billion. There is no indication that Congress will act on a long-term surface transportation bill. Instead, it’s likely that we’ll end up with a short-term extension of the current bill. Please click here to read more.

Now the good news… In the South Suburbs, we’re still moving forward on our projects: this year, we’re on track to invest over $25 million in our local highway system. This will include construction projects in Calumet Park, Hazel Crest, Homewood, Harvey, Lansing, Lynwood, Markham, Matteson, Richton Park, Sauk Village, South Holland, and University Park. Engineering projects are underway in 7 more towns. Please click here to read more.