November 28, 2018 – In 1986, the Bi-State Regional Commission's member governments came together to form the Joint Purchasing Council (JPC) to develop an intergovernmental agreement and guidelines for the joint purchasing of goods. Over $48 million in products have been purchased since its establishment. Membership in the JPC requires city or county board approval and signing of the intergovernmental agreement. Currently, 31 governmental entities are members of the JPC. Bi-State’s membership dues fund agency staff time and bid materials needed by the program.

Bi-State has a new telephone system, so staff direct numbers have changed, effective November 8, 2018. The phone number for all staff is (309) 793-6300, and then dial the staff member's extension. Please see the staff listing here.

October 24, 2018 – The Bi-State Revolving Loan Fund (BSRLF) is celebrating 33 years of providing gap financing to businesses, according to Jim Tank, RLF Program Representative and Bi-State Commissioner. Mr. Tank reported that since the inception of the program in 1985, over $10.5 million has been loaned to 112 businesses in Rock Island and Scott Counties. These loans have helped generate over $439 million in total investments, accessing city and state public financing programs, financial institutions, and company equity. In addition, over 3,900 jobs have been created/retained in the two county area. Currently, there is approximately $700,000 available to loan.

September 26, 2018 – George Ryan, P.E., I-74 Corridor Manager, Wood Consultants, provided a status report on the I-74 Corridor project. He was previously the District Engineer with Illinois Department of the Transportation in District 2, and managed the I-74 Bridge reconstruction in Peoria, bringing needed experience to the I-74 Bridge Corridor Project in the Bi-State Region.

Mr. Ryan provided an overview of the contractors on all projects that had been let for bid and information regarding future lettings. There have been multiple challenges to the work in the river due to flooding, and the contractor lost about 1.5 months in the schedule. While the contractor builds in “float” on a schedule to allow for some delays, the impact of flooding is reducing the flexibility in the schedule. The contractor is adjusting the schedule and staging other work when possible to alleviate the issues.

September 26, 2018 – As a recipient of federal funds, Bi-State Regional Commission must adhere to Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Acts, which states: “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” As part of its compliance with the law and subsequent executive orders (EO 12250, EO 12898, and EO 13166), Bi-State must submit its non-discrimination policy and program plan to the Iowa Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration every three years for review.

Bi-State Regional Commission is hosting webinars of the Association of Pedestrians and Bicyle Professionals (APBP) for October and November 2018. Both conferences are 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Bi-State Regional Commission office, 1504 Third Avenue, Rock Island, IL. 

October 17, 2018 — 10 Years of Safe Routes to School - Where do we go from here?
November 14, 2018 — Conflict Resolution: Good Sidepath Design
 

July 25, 2018 – J. Scott Speegle, Passenger Rail & Transit Communications Manager, Illinois Department of Transportation (DOT), reported that the DOT is fully committed to seeing the passenger rail project to completion. The DOT is working with the BNSF (Class I) railroad and Iowa Interstate (IAIS) (Class III) railroad along with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to complete key components of the corridor. To this point, there is $177 million in FRA funds and $45 million in state funds awarded to the project.

August 22, 2018 – Bryan Schmid, Senior Planner at Bi-State Regional Commission, described numerous levels of bicycle and pedestrian facilities found in the Bi-State Region. Separated trails, bike lanes, shared lanes, and signed routes provide a continuum of comfort levels to cyclists using the roadway or, in the case of separated trails, designated nonmotorized facilities. Higher levels of separation from vehicular traffic increase the comfort levels and safety of nonmotorized travelers.