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Traffic Report

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We have been waiting since 2001 for the next round of the Illinois Transportation Enhancements Program. Since 1991 Enhancements provided more than $110.5 million for bicycle and pedestrian projects. This has been a major source of trail funds that included the I&M Canal Bikeway, the Burnham Greenway and the Illinois Prairie Path.

Mayor Richard M. Daley presents Chicagoland Bicycle Federation Deputy Director Nick Jackson a special award recognizing his work on Chicago’s Bike 2015 Plan at the June 16 Chicago Bike to Work Week Rally in Daley Plaza. The Bike 2015 Plan is the city’s vision to make bicycling an integral part of daily life in Chicago. The plan recommends projects, programs and policies for the next 10 years to encourage bicycle transportation.

Normally bicycle and pedestrian projects have received 55 percent of Enhancement funds.This time only 27 percent went to the bicycle/pedestrian category.

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation will work with state legislators to persuade the Blagojevich administration that Enhancements should be restored as a regular and reliable source of trail funding.

The good news is that there were several good projects funded: $240,000 for a bike/ped trail in Hazel Crest; $84,000 for the Midlothian Creek Bicycle/Pedestrian Path; $440,000 for segment 1 of Glenview’s Centennial Trail; $550,000 for Evanston’s Lakefront Corridor Reconstruction; $186,000 for the Will County Forest Preserve’s Joliet Junction Trial to the I&M Canal Bikeway; $408,000 for the Carey Community Trail.

Ald. Tom Allen of the 38th Ward is fed up with all the uncivilized reckless driving he sees. He believes the problem exists because drivers rarely have to worry about getting a ticket. In June he proposed a City Council order that would use revenue from the red light photo enforcement program to hire 100 police officers dedicated to traffic enforcement. The order passed committee but will require a budget amendment.

Chicago members should let their aldermen know that they support efforts to enforce safer healthier streets.