For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630/407-6022
January 25, 2007

REGIONAL LEADERS GATHER TO DISCUSS WESTERN ACCESS STUDY

WHEATON — State, regional, and local transportation leaders met this past Tuesday to discuss an implementation strategy for a recently completed study on economic development initiatives and proposed transit and road infrastructure improvements for Western Access to O’Hare Airport. 

Participants included Secretary of Transportation Timothy Martin, RTA Chairman James Reilly, as well as representatives from the Illinois Tollway, O’Hare Airport, Metra, Pace, CTA, CMAP, as well as area mayors.

Tuesday’s forum, hosted by DuPage County Board Chairman Robert J. Schillerstrom, provided an opportunity for private and public sector stakeholders to comment on the latest draft of the Western O’Hare Economic Development Corridor Study.

“This forum provided a great opportunity to discuss a multi-dimensional strategy in identifying sources of funding for   the improvements highlighted in the document, such as the extension of the Elgin O'Hare Expressway, a Western By-Pass, multiple bus and rail improvements and a multi-modal transportation hub that would provide a gateway to DuPage County” said Schillerstrom. 

The West O'Hare Corridor Economic Development Study began in earnest in December, 2005.  Its scope included economic development, transportation and land use impacts, and assessed population and employment data in the corridor.  More importantly, it was the community outreach and corridor visioning that occurred during this planning process that mobilized all of the stakeholders to continue to work collaboratively toward the implementation of the various improvements that were outlined in the document.

Martin noted his agency's role in capital planning for the corridor.  He also advised that funding for any of the transportation and transit components of the Plan would be competing with other critical issues identified by lawmakers such as education and healthcare.  He cautioned the audience to give thought to the possibility of the "consequences of inaction" if the General Assembly does not consider this to be a legislative priority.

Randy Blankenhorn, Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Area for Planning (CMAP), supported the implementation strategies and emphasized the importance of linking land use, economic development and transportation planning to this initiative.  Mr. Blankenhorn further stated that this study is an example of how DuPage’s study should be done.

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