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$5.3B Toll System Redo,'Open Road Tolling' Pitched
Gov. Rod Blagojevich recently announced a 10-year, $5.3 billion
plan for the Illinois Tollway that will reportedly make the
state the first in the nation to convert to open road tolling.
Other key initiatives include rebuilding the entire system,
adding lanes to major roads and building a $730 million south
extension of Interstate 355, a project that could begin by
the end of the year.
The proposals, which were announced in late August, are aimed
at reducing traffic and congestion.
When the Tollway system was created, it was all about
moving people to and from places faster," he said. "Now,
it's just the opposite. It slows everything down. The time
has come for a major overhaul of the Tollway system."
Projections indicate that plan elements could generate about
$20 billion in economic benefits and 252,000 jobs.
Other key factors announced:
Topping the projects planed is the need to rebuild
much of the system's 274 mi. of pavement, 65 percent of which
is more than 45 years old, the governor said. All other Chicago-area
interstates - including the Stevenson, the Eisenhower and
the Kennedy - have been rebuilt at least once since 1959,
the year the Illinois Tollway opened.
To eliminate delays, the Tollway is planning the conversion
of 15 toll plazas to open road tolling, which eliminates toll
booths for those with the transponder-based I-Pass. The plan
would allow I-Pass users to drive through toll plazas at highway
speed.
The south extension to I-355 is needed to keep the
economy growing in Will County, which reportedly is one of
the fastest growing in the state, the governor said. The proposed
four- to six-lane extension for 12.5 mi. south from the Stevenson
Expressway to Interstate 80 would reduce travel times by 20
percent and improve access to job areas.
Another proposed system enhancement could be western access
to O'Hare International Airport. Federal funding would have
to be secured for the project.
Latest Plan Released For Chicago's Block
37
Recently released plans for Chicago's long-vacant Block
37 include office space, retail and entertainment, a hotel,
a residential tower and transit station.
The proposal calls for a more than 400,000-sq.-ft. office
tower on Washington Street. The plans would also feature
a 300-room hotel at the corner of Randolph and Dearborn
streets and a 300-unit residential tower on Randolph.
Another key element is a transit center that will ultimately
offer express train service to O'Hare International and
Midway airports. A multi-story obelisk will provide travelers
and visitors with train and flight schedules, international
weather news and stock information.
Another key possibility is that WBBM-TV, the local CBS affiliate,
is negotiating space to put offices in the facility and
an open-air studio.
The development, to be 108 N. State St., will offer visitors
retail, dining and entertainment options. Shopping will
include a combination of established contemporary, emerging
and international retailers, as well as a wellness environment
connected to a green roof and terraces.
The project designer is Ralph Johnson of Chicago-based Perkins
& Will, and the developer is Arlington, Va.-based Mills
Corp.
Several previous proposals for the site have fallen through.
New Building Energy Standards Set
Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation that sets minimum
energy efficiency standards for commercial construction
in Illinois.
The code establishes standards for the building envelope,
HVAC systems, water heating, lighting equipment and controls,
and electrical power systems.
Businesses that own, operate or occupy new commercial space
meeting these energy efficiency standards can expect to
see their energy bills reduced by six to 17 percent, according
to estimates.
Prior to the adoption of this code, Illinois was one of
12 states with no energy code for commercial construction.
For new commercial buildings, the impact of adopting the
code will produce approximately $60 to $80 million of life-cycle
energy and other cost savings for each year of construction.
The Illinois Capital Development Board will adopt the necessary
regulations to implement the legislation and the Department
of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will oversee the subsequent
day-to-day administration of the code.
Pittsfield Redo Complete
A restoration of the Chicago's venerable Pittsfield Building
that included cleaning the exterior by hand has been completed.
The project on the 38-story building, which was originally
constructed in 1927, took 3,000 man-hours to complete.
Exterior cleaning was a major part of the $10 million renovation
and included replacement of white terra cotta tiles and
brickwork. Most of the work was done at night to avoid disruption
to foot traffic.
The Pittsfield, which is located at Washington and Wabash
avenues, was the world's tallest building for four months
when it was completed, eclipsing the Washington Monument
by 5 ft. It was named after Pittsfield, Mass., the town
where Marshall Field, who commissioned the project, began
his business career in 1856.
35-Acre Warehouse Planned for Bolingbrook
Atlanta-based Seefried Properties Inc. has begun development
on the Veterans Corporate Center, a speculative distribution
and office complex in Bolingbrook that at full buildout,
will feature more than 675,000 sq. ft. of distribution and
office space on 35 acres.
The first building is a speculative, 188,500-sq.-ft. office/distribution
facility. Completion is expected in the first quarter of
2005.
The park will feature industrial and office facilities in
two phases. Phase one will be 350,000 sq. ft. at completion,
and phase two will add up to 325,000 sq. ft.
Turner Gives Back to Chicago
Turner Construction Co. has announced it has formed the
Chicago Turner Construction Co. Foundation.
The organization will support Chicago-area communities and
not-for-profit organizations through grants, gifts and service.
Funds have been earmarked for a number of charities, including
Horizons for Youth, Ada S. McKinley Community Services Inc.,
International Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia Foundation,
YWCA's Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline and CommunityHealth Free
Clinic.
The company is also participating in a drive of the United
Way organization, raising $35,000.
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