If Interstate 80 is ever going to be expanded to accommodate the heavy truck traffic, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority “has to be part of the solution,” said Will County board Speaker Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort Township.
The board’s Executive Committee Thursday voted to support a resolution asking the toll authority to conduct a feasibility study to determine if it is possible to add toll lanes to I-80, from approximately I-57 to I-55.
Moustis said he is not looking to make I-80 a toll road, but to add separate toll lanes that run parallel to the existing highway.
The tollway system is already connected to I-80 and I-57 and user fees are the “future” for new roads, he said.
“The state is lucky to have money to maintain what it has. We need to see if there is another solution for the I-80 corridor,” he said, adding that he expects ISTHA to pay for the study.
County board member Tom Weigel, R-New Lenox, said toll lanes are now being considered on I-55 into Chicago.
“I would be in favor of any way to expand 80,” he said.
But board member Don Gould, R-Shorewood, said he is “not a fan of tolls.”
“I see people avoiding tolls and putting more congestion on other roads,” he said.
“People are asking for help on 80. Trucks are the number one concern. Can we create a truck lane?” said board member Suzanne Hart, R-Naperville, noting that truckers would pay a toll to save time.
The county recently completed a Community Friendly Freight Study, which included the possibility of toll lanes as a means to ease congestion, said board member Mike Fricilone, R-Homer Glen.
“To implement that, we need more information. We should ask the tollway for more information. It would have more traffic numbers than we do,” he said.
The resolution would be voted on at a future meeting.
Twitter @SusanLaff
