A review of Springfield’s regional transportation needs is underway. The Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission is currently studying the region’s growth areas and determining what future transportation projects might be necessary to handle the projected traffic demand.
Called “Our Region, Our Vision,” planners are evaluating previous transportation plans, which were based on 1990s growth patterns, and making sure that future transportation projects are “right-sized” for Springfield’s projected growth. The last time this endeavor was undertaken was in the late 1990s, when planners believed that Springfield would grow heavily toward the west and south.
At that time, west bypass loops were studied and envisioned. Because of population growth patterns changing, those large transportation projects, such as a west loop from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport to near Chatham, or an extension of Southwind Road from near University of Illinois Springfield to Panther Creek, are being reconsidered.
What is also different from the late 1990s is that infill areas within the urban core are being considered and factored into the planning process. Five primary areas in the urban core are being factored in: the east side, along the rail corridor, the Medical District, around the state Capitol and the former Pillsbury Mills site.
Planners have used traffic demand models to determine if proposed projects will be sufficient to handle the traffic that would be generated from areas of growth throughout the region. Many of the road projects that the 1990s plan had recommended may no longer be necessary, planners say. By right-sizing Springfield’s infrastructure based on the future needs predicted today, rather than what was believed to be needed in the late 1990s, Springfield may be able to prioritize limited road and transportation dollars to projects that deliver a bigger bang for their buck.
Also new to this planning process: active transportation. Planners are looking at how bicycling, walking and transit could impact traffic demand.
An open house was held to receive public feedback on Thursday, Nov. 5. If you missed it, materials will be available on the project website at https://www.ourregionourvision.com. Planners ask that the public provide feedback no later than Thursday, Nov. 12, using the email address available on the website.
Steven Simpson-Black is a local urban planning advocate. He can be reached at steven@transitspringfield.com.
