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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Tim Weidner, P.E., Engineering Coordinator
DATE: March 13, 2023
SUBJECT:
A Resolution requesting the designation of Bilter Road from Farnsworth Avenue to Eola Road as a Federal Aid Urban Route.
PURPOSE:
To provide a resolution of support for the application of Bilter Road to become a Federal Aid Urban (FAU) Route.
BACKGROUND:
In order to be eligible to utilize certain federally funded roadway programs, the streets in the City need to be classified as a FAU Route. Occasionally the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) will collaborate on a system wide update. This system wide update generally includes the addition of new routes, classification changes, and potentially route removals on segments that don't meet policy. The City does have an option to apply for individual routes to potentially be added to the FAU system.
DISCUSSION:
The City has identified Bilter Road from Farnsworth Avenue to Eola Road as a candidate for addition to the Federal Aid Route system. Farnsworth Avenue and Eola Road are both already included in the Federal Aid system as an FAP and FAU route, respectively. This segment of Bilter Road appears to be a gap in the existing system, especially after the Tollway interchange for Eola Road was built.
By asking for the roadway to be individually added to the system now, it will hopefully be added and eligible in time for the next KKCOM Call for Projects anticipated in early 2024. City staff has identified some potential improvements in this corridor to be completed around or soon after the Hollywood Casino moves to Farnsworth Avenue.
Based on existing and proposed development along this stretch of Bilter Road, it is anticipated traffic volumes will increase, and the addition of this route to the Federal Aid system will more readily allow the City to improve safety and congestion along the corridor. A draft application for the routes addition to the Federal Aid system is included as Exhibit A.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
No impact.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Please forward this to the Infrastructure and Technology Committee for approval.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution requesting the designation of Bilter Road from Farnsworth Avenue to Eola Road as a Federal Aid Urban Route.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora is municipal cooperation granted the authority to study public transportation problems and developments; and to conduct, in cooperation with other public and private agencies, such studies; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora understands that transportation issues are multimodal in nature, and that the livability and sustainability of the community is based upon a functional transportation network, which supports these various modes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora supports the enhancement of the transportation system through preservation of the visual and cultural resources and improvement of the quality of life for members of the communities; and
WHEREAS, Farnsworth Avenue (FAP 0360) and Eola Road (FAU 2531) are designated as Federal Aid Routes; and
WHEREAS, Bilter Road connects to Farnsworth Avenue (FAP 0360) and Eola Road (FAU 2531); and
WHEREAS, the Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors has adopted policies for the implementation of Surface Transportation Program (STP), subject to the approval by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and concurrence from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in accordance with the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and any successor programs; and
WHEREAS, the FAST Act has adopted criteria to functionally classify a roadway, including analysis of the operational characteristics, location, and connection to existing functionally classified roadways; and
WHEREAS, the functional classification request demonstrates that Bilter Road between Farnsworth Avenue and Eola Road satisfies the functional class requirements of a Collector.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the City of Aurora hereby submits its application for functional classification of Bilter Road from Farnsworth Avenue to Eola Road as a Collector road, located within the limits of the City of Aurora, and otherwise qualifying for said designation under the standards of the Illinois Department of Transportation, and respectfully requests approval of said application and addition of this section of Bilter Road to the Federal Aid system.