Chainlinkers,

We just released a blog and statement on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Please check it out, thanks very much.

http://www.activetrans.org/blog/mkohara/stimulating-stimulus

The full statement is below.

Released: Feb. 17, 2009

Re: President Obama to sign American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Illinois has an enormous opportunity to invest in sustainable and active transportation with the passing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Active Transportation Alliance congratulates Congress, especially Sen. Dick Durbin, for integrating active transportation solutions, like walking, biking and transit, in this effort to revitalize the American economy.

The stimulus package includes $936 million for Illinois highways and bridges including $28 million set aside for Transportation Enhancements, the primary federal program for biking and walking projects. The bill also includes more than $400 million for new investment in Chicagoland transit infrastructure and unprecedented support for Amtrak and high-speed rail.

Illinois can’t move forward to expand residents’ transportation options and build a sustainable future if it doesn’t harness the power of projects that improve the public’s health, wallet and environment.

“We urge the Illinois Department of Transportation and local municipalities to use their stimulus funding for these eligible shovel-ready projects that expand residents’ transportation options,” said Rob Sadowsky, Active Transportation Alliance, executive director. “Building sidewalks or bike lanes is something any community can do to improve the way people get around.”

Projects include:

Sidewalk and ADA curb ramp improvements (all communities)
Bike boulevards and bike lanes (all communities)
Bus rapid transit (CTA)
Eliminate slow zones (CTA)
Green and bike-friendly buses (CTA and Pace)
Safe Routes to School Will-Center Road sidewalk (Monee)
Burnham Greenway (South Cook County)
Deerfield Road Bike Path (Lake County)
Illinois Prairie Path Bridge over EJ&E Railroad (DuPage County)
Stearns Road Bridge at Fox River (Kane County)
Chicago Avenue streetscape (Evanston)

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

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The agenda certainly looks practical and I guess time will tell where that money will really end up. I just hope someone takes the time to actually read something before they vote on it next time and the money going to be printed is not worth half two years from now.

Chicago Avenue streetscape (Evanston)

Doesn't this mean the plants and trees and not the street itself? As for Chicago Avenue up here, it should be torn up and laid back down.

I've stopped taking Chicago back home after work because it's so cracked up.

I really do hope that 'streetscape' means road improvement because the trees look fine, but the road surface is terrible.
'The American Investment and Recovery Act' ..... I think that is what they are calling it. Now I sit with the cable screen and hear the report automakers ask for even more billions. I mean if they stopped making new cars in the US, all the parts makers can give people jobs because the only new cars will be efficient foreign and American homebuild/mods and all the other ones on the road already good for 20-30 years. I hope the blue collar people have saved their money and more people are willing to ride.
Stimulus ..

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