State Will Seek Federal Funds for Critical Project to Ease Congestion, Create Jobs and Improve Safety by Fixing Nation's #1 Bottleneck

CHICAGO - Following approval today by a key planning group, Governor Pat Quinn has directed the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to accelerate a $420 million project that will reconstruct Chicago's famed Circle Interchange, improving traffic flow in the most congested interchange in the nation. Today's decision by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to include the project in the "GO TO 2040" long-term transportation plan allows IDOT to pursue federal funding for the landmark project that will create thousands of jobs. Today's announcement is part of the Governor's agenda to create jobs and drive more economic growth.

"Strengthening our transportation system drives economic growth for generations to come while creating thousands of jobs today," Governor Quinn said. "Reconstructing the Circle Interchange will ease congestion, move people and freight more efficiently, and clean up the environment by reducing emissions from idling vehicles."

The Circle Interchange Improvement project will improve traffic flow on the three expressways that meet in the heart of Chicago. According to estimates by transportation planners, it will reduce traffic delays by at least 50 percent; it will save drivers 5 million hours annually; and the improved traffic flow will lead to savings of 1.6 million gallons of fuel per year.

IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider is chair of the CMAP policy committee and presided today over a meeting at which CMAP agreed to IDOT's recommendation to amend the region's long range transportation plan, GO TO 2040,  to accommodate the Circle Interchange project.  Additionally, this project will put hundreds of men and women to work rebuilding and repairing our critical transportation network.

"Through a comprehensive and transparent process, we have identified a plan for the Circle Interchange that will keep our region and our economy moving," Transportation Secretary Schneider said. "We applaud CMAP's decision to support Governor Quinn's efforts to enhance safety and improve congestion at the Circle Interchange and include this project in the region's long-range plan, so we can continue our planning and design efforts without delay."

The Circle Interchange was constructed between 1958 and 1962, and has outlived its design life according to several performance indicators on safety, infrastructure condition and congestion. The interchange experiences an average of 940 crashes per year. In addition, each day,  more than 400,000 vehicles pass through the Circle Interchange, which connects the Kennedy, Dan Ryan and Eisenhower expressways, and is a vital regional and local hub for commuters, businesses and freight movement. In 2010, the Federal Highway Administration and the American Transportation Research Institute identified the Circle Interchange as the No. 1 bottleneck among highways crucial to the nation's freight transportation system. Of the more than 400,000 vehicles that use the interchange each day, about 33,000 are trucks.

Based on engineering concerns over safety, infrastructure condition and congestion, Governor Quinn last April directed IDOT to begin planning work for this estimated $420 million project. The planning work began in spring 2012 and is proceeding on an accelerated schedule. Extensive stakeholder outreach has been a focal point of a comprehensive planning process, which is expected to be completed in spring 2013.

The proposed scope of the work involve replacing aging ramps and pavement with two existing single-lane ramps (the northbound Dan Ryan (I-90/94) to the westbound Eisenhower (I-290); and the eastbound Eisenhower to northbound Kennedy (I-90/94)) being widened to two-lane ramps providing additional capacity.  In addition, the design of the ramp merging points will be reconfigured to provide safer and more efficient traffic flow. The new design incorporates aesthetic features and improves the multimodal transportation system of the surrounding street network with the inclusion of bike lanes, wider sidewalks and improved access to transit.

As part of the planning process, IDOT has been conducting an extensive public outreach and involvement campaign. The agency has scheduled a Public Hearing to provide an overview of the study process and solicit public input on April 3, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Marriot Chicago at Medical District/UIC, 625 South Ashland Ave. For more information about the project, go to: http://www.circleinterchange.org/.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that the East Central Intergovernmental Association, which covers Cedar and Clinton counties, as well as Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson counties has received $58,000 from the Economic Development Agency.  This funding will be used to establish an economic development planning framework, process and strategy that supports private capital investment and job creation in the region.

"I am pleased that the East Central Intergovernmental Association received this funding to continue their important work of developing and implementing a comprehensive economic development strategy for the region," said Loebsack.  "We must focus on growing our economy and putting Iowans back to work. Investing in economic development planning, rural development and supporting public-private partnerships will both help strengthen the regional economy and promote job creation."

This EDA planning investment supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) in the region served by the East Central Intergovernmental Association.  The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today congratulated Xi Jinping on becoming China's new president.

Branstad noted Iowa's long-standing history with President Xi, from his first visit to Iowa in 1985.

"Iowa is fortunate to have a strong, friendly relationship with China's new president," said Branstad. "When he was in Iowa last year, Xi Jinping told me he still remembers the families he stayed with in Iowa, and how much he appreciated the friendliness and hospitality that was shown to his entire delegation during their trip to Iowa. He has made a very good impression with the people he has met here in this state, both in 1985 during his initial visit, as well as his visit to our state for the reunion last year. We enjoyed hosting him at a state dinner here, and I was very impressed how he went off his script to describe his first visit to Iowa and the people he had met here. We are very impressed with his leadership. We think he will be someone who is very good to work with and it is an opportunity for us to build better relationships between the United States of America and China. I was honored to be hosted by Xi Jinping at a reunion with his Iowa friends in Beijing last spring. I look forward to visiting President Xi very soon, and continuing our great relationship."

Reynolds says she looks forward to the unlimited growth potential with the world's largest country.

"Whether it is our agricultural exports, or China's growing need for financial services, Iowa is poised for significant growth over the next decade thanks to our strong relationship with President Xi," said Reynolds. "The governor and I have both had the opportunity to meet with President Xi and other high ranking officials as we led trade missions throughout China. When you compare China with where it was just two decades ago, the change is substantial. The standard of living for people has improved exponentially. I think all of this is very positive and it is evident that as China improves economic opportunities for its people, Iowa will have even more customers on the world stage."