Planners Revisit Springfield West Loop Plans
The Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission is reconsidering transportation projects drafted in the late 1990s.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Remote Work
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The Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission is reviewing regional transportation needs, including a west loop from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport to near Chatham and an extension of Southwind Road. Planners are reconsidering projects from the late 1990s plan as the region's growth patterns have shifted.
Why it matters
Previous transportation plans were based on 1990s growth patterns, and many recommended road projects may no longer be necessary. The review could direct limited road dollars toward projects with a larger return for the Springfield area.
Planners are testing five urban core infill areas (the east side, rail corridor, Medical District, areas around the state Capitol, and the former Pillsbury Mills site) against traffic demand models. Whether bicycling, walking and transit will reduce projected road demand has not been determined.
The players
Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission
The regional body responsible for planning transportation and land use across Springfield and Sangamon County.
The details
Planners are reconsidering a west loop from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport to near Chatham and an extension of Southwind Road from near University of Illinois Springfield to Panther Creek. Active transportation, including bicycling, walking and transit, is being considered for the first time in this planning process.
Timeline
Late 1990s: Previous regional transportation plan envisioned the west bypass loops.
Thursday, Nov. 5: Open house held to receive public feedback.
Thursday, Nov. 12: Deadline to submit public feedback by email.
Remote Work
The review revisits the late 1990s regional plan, whose west bypass loops were envisioned before population growth patterns shifted. Planners are now testing those projects against updated traffic demand models that account for active transportation.
Residents who want input on proposed west loop and Southwind Road projects can submit feedback by email through Thursday, Nov. 12. The outcome will influence which road projects are prioritized for future funding.
The takeaway
Transportation budgets are finite, so projects that match current growth patterns are likely to receive priority. Residents can shape that choice by sending feedback before the November deadline.
What happens next
Public feedback on the transportation review may be submitted by email through Thursday, Nov. 12.
Further reading
Explore more on Remote Work to see how commuting patterns shape regional transportation needs.
More information
Review open house materials on the Our Region, Our Vision project website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Illinois Times, the capital city's weekly source of news, politics, arts, entertainment, culture.
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Should Springfield prioritize transit and biking over new road projects?
