NIU receives $8.32 million
in new federal transportation bill

by Joe King

The $286.5 billion transportation bill signed into law by President Bush last week in Aurora includes $8.32 million to plan, design and build new roads on the west side of campus.

“We are very grateful to Speaker of the House Denny Hastert, and his staff, for their assistance in securing this funding,” NIU President John Peters said. “At a time when there is little or no money available from the state to help us plan and build for the needs of the future, this is most welcome.”

The money will be used specifically to design and build a road network and the accompanying infrastructure improvements – water lines and sewers, for example – that will allow the university to begin development of about 230 acres at the western edge of campus.

That land was purchased by the NIU Board of Trustees in 1997. Plans are to develop it for a variety of uses including expanded research capabilities and student life improvements. No specific plans have yet been made, and no construction is imminent.

“Thanks to these funds, we can now begin the formal planning process for the long-term development of this land,” Peters said. “Before any buildings can be built, infrastructure and roads need to be engineered, designed and built. These funds are essential to those efforts.”

The university will begin working at once with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation to set the work in motion. The process will take place over an extended period of time, with the money allocated in the bill slated to be drawn down over a four-year period.

8-15-05