The Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, has unveiled an impressive $41 billion, six-year infrastructure revitalization strategy for the state. This construction program is unprecedented in
the history of Illinois, and demonstrates the state's commitment to its infrastructure and the well-being of its residents.
The Rebuild Illinois capital program represents a vast and multi-faceted investment in transportation systems across the state, including the improvement of roads, bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians.
Among the significant projects planned are an extensive $27.03 billion investment in roads and bridges and $9.85 billion for transit improvements over the next six years. Additionally, $2.67 billion has been allocated for enhancements to freight and passenger rail, $1.25 billion for aviation, and $190 million for ports and waterways.
WSILTV News states that the proposed infrastructure upgrade does not focus solely on the city of Chicago or other metropolitan areas, but aims to encompass all 102 counties of Illinois. This comprehensive approach underscores the state's pledge to increased safety, efficiency, and growth opportunities for residents in every corner of Illinois. Here is a breakdown of some of the major district highway projects for 2024-2029:
COOK •
- I-190 from Bessie Coleman Drive to I-90 (Kennedy Expressway):
$611.5 million for reconstruction and construction of auxiliary lanes, and additional ramps from Bessie Coleman Drive to I-90, improving safety and access to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and Rosemont.
- I-290 Corridor: $366 million for bridge replacement and/or rehabilitation from Mannheim Road to Racine Avenue.
- Illinois 53: $111.4 million for twelve new bridge decks, three bridge superstructure replacements and other improvements from U.S. 12 to Illinois 62 in Arlington Heights, Palatine and Rolling Meadows.
- Illinois 43: $91.3 million to construct railroad grade separation at 65th Street in Bedford Park.
- U.S. 12/20/45 (95th Street): $81.7 million for several bridge replacements, intersection reconstruction and additional improvements at Stony Island Avenue in Chicago.
- Pershing Road: $54 million for bridge replacement at Racine Avenue and CN Railroad in Chicago.
DUPAGE •
- Illinois 56 corridor improvements: $39.9 million for a new bridge, reconstruction and construction of additional lanes from west of Illinois 53 to west of I-355, and at Illinois 53.
KANE •
- U.S. 20: $124.5 million for bridge replacements, construction of auxiliary lanes and other improvements from west of Randall Road to east of Shales Parkway in Elgin.
- Illinois 47/U.S. 30: $70.6 million to improve 4.3 miles with bridge replacements, reconstruction and additional lanes, as well as other improvements from Cross Street to south of Galena Road in Sugar Grove and Yorkville.
- U.S. 20: $59.4 million for interchange reconstruction, retaining walls and bridge replacement at Shales Parkway in Elgin.
LAKE •
- Illinois 60/Illinois 83: $142 million for reconstruction and additional lanes, as well as construction of a railroad grade separation from Illinois 176 (Maple Avenue) to CN Railroad in Mundelein.
- Illinois 131: $87.5 million to improve 2.5 miles with reconstruction and additional lanes from Wadsworth Road to Sunset Avenue in Beach Park.
- U.S. 41: $84.1 million for interchange reconstruction, auxiliary lanes, ped/bike improvements, bridge installation and pump station at Illinois 176 in Lake Bluff.
MCHENRY •
- Illinois 31: $106 million for reconstruction and construction of additional lanes for 6.3 miles, drainage improvements, traffic signal modernization, ADA improvements and other improvements from south of Illinois 120 to north of Illinois 176 in McHenry, Prairie Grove and Crystal Lake.
- Illinois 47: $88.2 million total investment. ($41.9 million for reconstruction and additional lanes, as well as intersection improvements, from north of Illinois 120 to U.S. 14 in Woodstock. $46.3 million for intersection reconstruction at Illinois 176 (north and south junctions) and at Pleasant Valley Road.)
WILL •
- I-80 from Ridge Road to U.S. 30: Total $1.1 billion investment to rebuild critical freight corridor and improve safety in high-growth area. Multiple bridge replacements, including aging, obsolete structures over the Des Plaines River. Capacity enhancements include auxiliary lanes and shoulders in Joliet, New Lenox and Minooka.
- I-55: $200.9 million for bridge replacements and construction of interchanges at Airport Road/Lockport Road and at Illinois 126 in Romeoville.
- I-55: $143.7 million for interchange reconstruction and bridge replacement at Lorenzo Road and at Illinois 129. Auxiliary lanes and resurfacing from Illinois 129 to Lorenzo and reconstruction of the frontage roads between Kavanaugh and Lorenzo roads.
JO DAVIESS •
- U.S. 20: $28.9 million for reconstruction of 4.1 miles, bridge replacement, horizontal and vertical realignment, culvert replacement, culvert removal, new culvert, truck-climbing lane, land acquisition and construction engineering from 0.2 mile west of Logemann Road to Rush Street in Stockton.
ROCK ISLAND •
- I-80: $287.5 million to replace bridge over the Mississippi River. Illinois will lead the project, with Iowa sharing equally in the costs.
- 27th Street: $57.7 million for bridge replacement at the Rock River, a bridge rehabilitation over I-280, reconstruction of 0.7 mile and other improvements from 52nd Avenue to Airport Road in Moline.
WINNEBAGO •
- I-39/U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue: $286 million for bridge replacement, reconstruction and additional lanes on 6.4 miles from Blackhawk Road to I-90, I-39 to Kishwaukee River and Bell School Road to I-39.
- Illinois 2: $92.1 million for reconstruction of 10.6 miles, bridge replacement and culvert replacement from Illinois 72 in Byron to Beltline Road south of Rockford. - Illinois 2: $30.3 million to replace the Illinois 2 bridge over the Rock River in Rockton.
GRUNDY •
- I-80: $54.6 million for reconstruction of 6.5 miles, preliminary engineering, utility adjustments and other improvements from east of the Seneca interchange to west of Illinois 47.
IROQUOIS •
- I-57: $47.9 million for resurfacing 15.3 miles, bridge repairs, bridge deck overlay and additional improvements from the Ford County line to Buckley interchange and from Illinois 54 to U.S. 24.
KANKAKEE •
- I-57 Interchange: $98.5 million for a bridge replacement, interchange reconstruction, reconstruction of 2.2 miles, railroad separation replacement and other improvements at Illinois 17 and I-57.
- I-57: $57.5 million for resurfacing 4.2 miles, bridge repairs, bridge deck overlay, bridge replacement and other improvements from Clifton to the Kankakee County line, plus the U.S. 45/52 interchange in Kankakee.
KENDALL •
- Illinois 47: $58.5 million for reconstruction and additional lanes of 2.3 miles, railroad separation replacement, bridge replacement and other improvements between Galena and Kennedy Roads in Yorkville.
- Illinois 47: $42 million for additional lanes and reconstruction of 4.2 miles, as well as other improvements, from Illinois 71 to Caton Farm Road.
LASALLE •
- I-39/U.S. 51: $35 million for reconstruction of 0.6 mile from north of Illinois 18 to Sandy Creek, bridge deck overlay, bridge joint replacement/repair and other improvements. Also includes resurfacing on 14.7 miles from the Marshall County line to the Lincoln Memorial Bridge.
FULTON & PEORIA •
- U.S. 24/Illinois 9: $135.1 million to expand to four lanes on 8.6 miles and bridge replacements from Banner to Kingston Mines.
HENDERSON •
- U.S. 34: $169.7 million for new construction of 8.7 miles from west of Carman Road to Township Road 111.
MARSHALL •
- Illinois 18: $128 million for a bridge replacement over the Illinois River at Henry.
PEORIA •
- Illinois 29: $64 million for reconstruction of 2.9 miles and addition of a bi-directional left turn lane from Gardner Lane to the McClugage Bridge.
- Cedar Street Extension: $71.4 million for interchange reconstruction and bridge replacement on Illinois 8/116 over the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad and Illinois 29 in East Peoria.
TAZEWELL & PEORIA •
- U.S. 150: $78.3 million for a new bridge deck, bridge superstructure rehabilitation, bridge painting, bridge repair and railroad flagger over Illinois 29 and the Illinois River.
WARREN •
- U.S. 34: $63.7 million for additional lanes of 4.6 miles and utility adjustments from Township Road 190 east of Biggsville to 20th Street south of Kirkwood.
WOODFORD •
- I-74: $24.5 million for a bridge replacement over the Mackinaw River.
DOUGLAS & CHAMPAIGN •
- I-57: $64.1 million for resurfacing on 24.3 miles from the Coles County line to Sadorus Road.
MCLEAN •
- Illinois 9/U.S. 150/U.S. 51 Business: $58.6 million for reconstruction of 1.3 miles, resurfacing on 6.2 miles, ADA improvements, curb and gutter, traffic signal replacement and bridge deck repairs from Martin Luther King Drive to Carnahan Drive.
VERMILION •
I-74: $30 million for resurfacing on 7.2 miles, ramp repairs, bridge replacements, bridge deck overlay and other improvements from US 150/Illinois 1 to the Indiana state line.
In conclusion, the Rebuild Illinois capital program is a bold step in the right direction, a win-win for residents and businesses alike. This initiative will undoubtedly transform the state’s infrastructure landscape, promising a safer, efficient, and more interconnected Illinois.