Bi-State Regional Commission

March 28, 2018 – Annually, the Quad Cities and Region 9 FY2019 Transportation Planning Work Programs (TPWPs) reflect Bi-State staff transportation work activities and budget funding to accomplish that work for July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019.  Gena McCullough, Planning Director, described the tasks and activities to be undertaken by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Region 9 for FY2019.  She identified four work categories in the TPWPs and highlighted these areas: program support and administration, general development and comprehensive planning, long-range transportation planning, and short-range transportation planning.  Key issues include improving river crossing capacity, reducing congestion, integrating safety and security into processes, coordinating modes and connectivity, and helping local jurisdictions implement planned projects.

March 8, 2018 – Bi-State data services staff hosted a free workshop on Thursday, March 8, 2018 for local governmental entities who’ve registered to participate in the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program.  Twelve staff from various cities in the Bi-State region learned about the decennial Census, why the LUCA is important, how to develop a strategy for reviewing addresses in their community, and preparing and submitting their LUCA response.  The workshop was conducted by a Census Bureau geographer.  Digital and paper response methods were covered. 

February 20, 2018 – Local governmental entities who’ve registered to participate in the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program can learn how to prepare your response at a free workshop Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the Rock Island Public Library Community Room, 401 19th Street, Rock Island, IL.  Times are 9:15 a.m. – Noon (digital response participants) and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (paper response participants).  Due to limited space, we encourage you to pre-register for the workshop.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-luca-training-rock-island-il-tickets-43443562866  For questions, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at (309) 793-6302, ext 133 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at (309) 793-6302, ext 131.

February 28, 2018 – According to Sarah Gardner, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency (RICWMA) staff coordinator, Rock Island County is served by two privately-owned and operated landfills.  The county aims to achieve the state goal of a 25% diversion rate of material from the landfill, and historically has reported a rate between 22% and 31%.  Nine communities in the county offer curbside recycling, and four additional drop-off sites are maintained by Republic Services and coordinated through RICWMA.

January 24, 2018 – Every 8 minutes in the United States, someone is affected by disaster, usually a home fire.  Home fires kill more people than all natural disasters combined.  In fact, 7 people die in home fires every day, mostly in homes that do not have working fire alarms.  A person only has 2 minutes to exit a burning home, so it is vital to have working smoke detectors on each floor of the home.  Working smoke alarms double the chances of surviving a home fire, and an escape plan for the whole family further increases the survival odds.

January 24, 2018 – The Hearts Open, Sleeves Up, All In initiative is to encourage people to donate blood and get organizations to sponsor drives.  Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood.  Therefore, the Red Cross must collect 14,000 blood donations every day.  The Red Cross provides blood donations to the national inventory, Lurie’s Children’s Hospital, Blue Tie Tag drives, and is a secondary provider to the military.

January 24, 2018 – Denise Bulat, Executive Director of Bi-State Regional Commission, provided an overview of how the Bi-State work connects with planning for resilience.  The definition of resiliency planning is “the ability to prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions.”  It also includes “the ability to withstand and recover from deliberate attacks, accidents, or naturally occurring threats or incidents.”

December 20, 2017 – In 2015, Interstate 80 carried 46,700 vehicles per day in the Quad Cities Area.  This is an increase of 32% from 2002.  In addition, truck traffic is increasing in the Quad Cities at a greater rate than many other portions of the state at 37%.  Local representatives believe 6-laning of I-80 would allow for merging and weaving movements at interchanges.  Because of these issues and others, the Iowa Department of Transportation conducted an Interstate 80 System Study.  The need for this study was identified in the last two Quad Cities long range transportation plans.  The study included an analysis of geometry, physical condition, traffic operation, and safety.  The study has found that:

• 21 of 28 ramps are rated poor in safety due to crashes
• Crash rates are expected to increase
• The right shoulder of I-80 is rated poor throughout the Quad Cities
• Reconstruction would eliminate left hand exits that don’t meet current interstate design standards

December 8, 2017 – Bi-State Regional Commission and QC public transit agencies, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation will launch a regional rideshare portal called QC Rideshare.  As a sub-portal of the Iowa state rideshare site, QC Rideshare is specific to the Quad Cities Metro Area and will help champion the Iowa DOT’s mission to “enhance and expand sustainable transportation options for commuters,” support Bi-State’s Clean Air Initiative, and promote eco-friendly public transit efforts.  Commuters from the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities Metro Area are encouraged to register on the website and “share your ride” to help decrease traffic congestion and also lower greenhouse gas emissions.

December 8, 2017 – A thriving local airport contributes to, and benefits from, a growing economy and prosperous region.  Area employers, small business owners, corporate travel planners, and travel agents all have a significant impact on our airport's vitality.  When more travelers buy and fly local from the Quad City International Airport, the more air carriers consider this region when planning flight, aircraft, and destination expansions.  Our airport is only as good as the amount we use it.  The more we use it, the better it will be for all.