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Illinois DOT limits equipment emissions for Chicago road projects

May 02, 2005 |

The Illinois Department of Transportation is leaping federal non-road diesel emission regulations by at least three years with its enforcement of the Clean Air Construction Initiative on the agency’s Dan Ryan and Kingery Expressway projects.

The initiative is the result of recommendations from health and environmental focus groups and partnerships with the U.S. and Illinois environmental protection agencies, Chicago public schools, the American Lung Association and local community agencies. The plan is designed to be a blueprint for maintaining the health of area residents during road construction by reducing emissions from heavy equipment and trucks.

But implementation of the CACI could also mean increased costs for contractors and fewer bids for IDOT projects – which could lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

“It’s absolutely a concern to the contracting community,” said Bill Grams, executive director of the Illinois chapter of the American Road & Transporation Builders Association.

Grams said his organization, which represents Illinois road construction contractors, isn’t necessarily opposed to IDOT implementing emission restrictions. However, he said the benefits must be weighed against the price.

“Taxpayers end up eating that cost,” he said.

This is the first use of IDOT’s tighter construction equipment emission standards, which were officially introduced last year.

The four-year $430 million Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94/90) reconstruction project spans 31st Street to I-57/Halsted Street. As part of the reconstruction, IDOT will add expressway lanes, improve local access roads and reconfigure the skyway interchange to allow for safer driving conditions.