Governor JB Pritzker announced a $20.7 billion multi-year plan to improve Illinois' roads and bridges over the next 6 years. This multi-year plan builds on the significant infrastructure investment over the last two years, with over 2,700 miles of state and local roadways and 290 bridges already improved through Rebuild Illinois.
Negocios Now reports that this robust commitment which was fueled by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan, will reinforce Illinois' leadership as a transportation hub and create thousands of jobs.
"With all that's been built over the last two years, even through a global pandemic, we are now announcing the new Multi-Year Plan for the next six years that will reconstruct over 2,700 more miles of roads and nearly 8 million square feet of bridges. The projects in this MYP will continue to create and support hundreds of thousands of jobs for hardworking Illinoisans across our state - bolstering our pandemic recovery in yet one more way."
Governor of Illinois | JB Pritzker
WSILTV News 3 states that based on current funding levels, the FY2022-27 Proposed Highway Improvement Program will improve 2,779 miles of roads and 7.9 million square feet of bridge deck. Of the $20.7 billion over the six years of the program, $3.32 billion has been identified for the upcoming fiscal year.
Of the major elements in the plan for IDOT roads and bridges, investments will include the following:
- $5.79 billion for highway reconstruction and preservation
- $4.82 billion for bridge improvements
- $2.59 billion for strategic expansion
- $2.43 billion for system support such as engineering and land acquisition
- $1.21 billion for safety and system modernizations
According to Negosios Now, included in the program are a multitude of projects that will create economic opportunity, enhance quality of life, and improve safety on both the IDOT and local transportation systems.
"Under the governor's leadership, we are continuing to build and sustain infrastructure that gives Illinois its competitive edge and strengthens our status as the transportation hub of North America. This latest multiyear program means we will keep making historic improvements in our transportation system, just as we have throughout the pandemic. As people start to explore and travel Illinois again, we want passenger rail to be a viable option as well."
Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary | Omer Osman
Governor Pitzker's bipartisan Rebuild Illinois plan which was passed in 2019 was the first of its kind in nearly a decade and promoted economic growth by investing a total of $33.2 billion into the state's aging transportation system. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history, but also the first one that touches all modes of illinois transportation such as:
- Roads and bridges
- Transit
- Waterways
- Freight and passenger rail
- Aviation
- Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations
Due to the number of positive COVID-19 cases decreasing and the demand for public transportation expanding, Amtrak will resume full passenger rail service.
A full long-distance interstate schedule will restore four state-sponsored lines. The Chicago-Milwaukee partnership with Wisconsin will resume next week. The three state sponsored routes connecting Chicago and Quincy, Chicago and Carbondale, and Chicago and St. Louis, will run at full capacity by mid-July. Passengers can reserve tickets starting the week of July 19th on Amtrak.com beginning this week.
Amtrak previously announced a return to normal operations for the Hiawatha Service on May 23rd, a partnership of Illinois and Wisconsin departments of transportation that runs between Chicago and Milwaukee with a stop in Glenview.
The increased capacity will help to safely connect communities and help lift local economies. Under Rebuild Illinois, a total of $1.1 billion is allocated for rail improvements alone. The critical investments include $78 million in new funds to upgrade rail crossings and improve safety, which will create and support opportunities for hardworking Illinoisans.
