NICTI

This study, an Alternatives Analysis and Environmental Assessment, is the next step in the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) process. This prescribed process is required when seeking Federal funds to design or build a new transit service.
The Alternatives Analysis will evaluate a range of transportation options involving several different modes of travel such as rail, bus, and highway expansion in the corridor between the Rockford/Belvidere area and the Chicagoland Region. It will identity the option or combination of options that best meet the needs of the corridor and the project goals and objectives.

The goal of the Alternatives Analysis Study is to identify a Local Preferred Alternative (LPA) fro public transportation providing an efficient, affordable, and attractive link between the Boone/Winnebago and Chicagoland Regions.

Our Region Continues to Grow

The map below shows that the growth pattern has now reached the counties of Boone, Ogle, Winnebago, DeKalb, Kane & McHenry. As an example, as seen in the 1990- 2000 Population Change table, Boone County population increased 35.6%. An increase of this size changes the needs and desires of the people within the community, which often leads to a debate as to how the growth should be managed.

1990 - 2000 Population Change

County	Population		Change %
	1990	2000
Boone	30,806	41,786	+35.6%
Ogle	45,957	51,032	+11.8%
Winnebago	252,913	278,418	+10.1%
DeKalb	77,932	88,969	+14.2%
Kane	317,471	404,119	+27.3%
McHenry	183,241	260,007	+41.9%

Source: US Census Data

This decision is usually worked out at the local level where the members of a community negotiate a balanced plan for land use that take into account the different interests of the residents and business. The result of this process is local land use plans and zoning ordinances, which determine where factories, schools, apartments, retail centers, and homes are to be built. It also preserves areas for agriculture, parks, wetlands, and other community features that add to our quality of life.