Illinois. Division of Highways

The Bates Experimental Road project was set up at Bates, Illinois about 12 miles southwest of Springfield as a means of testing various pavements prior to expending 100 million dollars on a rural highway system. A 2 1/2 mile stretch was laid out on typical terrain within 68 test sections each approximately 200 ft. in length. Construction took place 1920-1921.

The Department of Public Works and Buildings was created by the Civil Administrative Code of 1917. It supervised operation of state highways, waterways and water resources, parks, printing, purchasing, and construction of state facilities. New agency absorbed State Highway Department and formed Waterways Division of Illinois and Michigan Canal Commissioners, the Rivers and Lakes Commission, and Illinois Waterway Commission. In 1925 Waterways Division was relocated in Department of Purchases and Construction but was returne to Department of Public Works and Buildings in 1933.

The Department of Transportation was created in 1972 and took over Highway and Waterways Divisions from defunct Department of Public Works and Buildings. New Department of Transportation also was charged with developing mass transportation planning and policy (P.A.77-153, pp. 284-294). In 1973 Department of Aeronautics was abolished and its duties were transferred to newly formed division in the Department (P.A.78-479, pp. 1384-1387). Traffic Safety Division was added to Department in 1977 (P.A.80-1016, p. 2937).

The Department of Public Works and Buildings was created by the Civil Administrative Code of 1917. It supervised operation of state highways, waterways and water resources, parks, printing, purchasing, and construction of state facilities. New agency absorbed State Highway Department and formed Waterways Division of Illinois and Michigan Canal Commissioners, the Rivers and Lakes Commission, and Illinois Waterway Commission. In 1925 Waterways Division was relocated in Department of Purchases and Construction but was returne to Department of Public Works and Buildings in 1933.

The Department of Transportation was created in 1972 and took over Highway and Waterways Divisions from defunct Department of Public Works and Buildings. New Department of Transportation also was charged with developing mass transportation planning and policy (P.A.77-153, pp. 284-294). In 1973 Department of Aeronautics was abolished and its duties were transferred to newly formed division in the Department (P.A.78-479, pp. 1384-1387). Traffic Safety Division was added to Department in 1977 (P.A.80-1016, p. 2937).