Saturday, May 10

Governor unveils $7.4 billion,
five-year road program

Blagojevich says fiscal crisis should not get in the way of continuing major existing programs and performing critical repairs and rehabilitations

Increased federal funding sought

[MAY 10, 2003]  COLLINSVILLE -- On May 5 Gov. Rod Blagojevich unveiled a $7.4 billion, five-year road program, including $1.7 billion for the next fiscal year, to repair and rehabilitate the existing network of roads and bridges, relieve congestion, and fund new construction.

"Even though we face the worst fiscal crisis in this state's history, it's important that we continue the road program as aggressively as possible," the governor said. "This road program carefully balances our current financial reality with the need for future growth by allowing us to maintain and improve critical pieces in our transportation system.

"This road program means the goods and services that fuel our economy will keep moving. It means the working men and women of our state and neighboring states can get to their jobs every day. And it means jobs. The program will support 178,000 jobs in the construction industry. Would we have liked to invest even more in the road program? Absolutely. But considering the fiscal crises facing this state, this investment is not only reasonable, it's ambitious."

The multiyear road program covers fiscal 2004-2008 and calls for the improvement of more than 2,300 miles of roads and replacement or rehabilitation of more than 570 bridges.

"The plan provides continued funding for interstate improvements downstate in communities like Glen Carbon, O'Fallon and Peoria and key projects in northeastern Illinois to reduce congestion," said Blagojevich. "It also aims to make our roads safer by specifically targeting improvements at rail crossings and high accident locations."

 

The five-year program includes $3.5 billion in state funds, $3.6 billion in federal funds and $249 million in local funding. The federal portion of the five-year plan is based on funding estimates that assume the current level of funding under the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which is set to expire this year. Congress is currently considering the reauthorization of TEA-21, and Illinois hopes to see increased federal funding as a result of the reauthorization.

"We are working with my former colleagues in Congress to ensure Illinois receives its fair share of federal transportation dollars," Blagojevich said. "Currently, Illinois receives 93 cents in transportation-related funding in return for every dollar it sends to Washington. That has to change."

On April 30, Blagojevich traveled to Washington to lobby for increased federal funds for road projects and has pledged to match every federal grant with state funding.

The five-year program provides $5.8 billion for state projects and $1.6 billion for local projects. The state multiyear program can be summarized in three main categories:

System preservation -- $2.3 billion is scheduled for resurfacing-widening projects and bridge improvements, including $514 million for interstate resurfacing and bridge projects.

System modernization -- $1.9 billion is scheduled to upgrade existing facilities with safety and traffic flow improvements. Included in this category are the reconstruction of the Dan Ryan Expressway and Interstate 74 through Peoria.

Congestion reduction -- $1.6 billion is scheduled to address traffic congestion and build new main routes, including $392 million for new roads.

 

Major projects for the fiscal 2004-2008 program include the following:

Downstate Illinois

Interstate 64-55-70 interchange (Tri-Level) in East St. Louis: Reconstruction of the interchange at the three interstate routes is necessary to improve traffic operational conditions and provide access to the local street system. Construction and associated work are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $82.9 million. Of this total, pre-construction work is programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $4.1 million.

In conjunction with the interchange, a 0.9 mile connector road from the Tri-Level to relocated Illinois 3 is programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $41 million. Of this total, completion of engineering for contract plans is programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $2.3 million.

Interstate 64 from Illinois 157 to Lincoln Trail at O'Fallon in St. Clair County:

Completion of engineering for contract plans and construction of the additional lanes to continue the six-lane section 6.4 miles to O'Fallon are programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $37.4 million.

East St. Louis, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo.: Engineering for location, design and environmental studies for a new Mississippi River bridge connecting East St. Louis and the central business district in St. Louis has been completed. This engineering was initiated in fiscal 1992, with Illinois as the lead agency and Missouri sharing in the costs.

Land acquisition and engineering for contract plans are under way; continuation of engineering is programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $12.8 million. Missouri and Illinois are sharing the engineering costs for contract plans. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act included $2.3 million in federal demonstration funds for this project, and TEA-21 has provided $1.1 million in High Priority Project funds. The project, which totals more than $1 billion, is currently not funded and will require special federal funding over and above regular program funds.

The location of the new Mississippi River bridge is being coordinated with the relocation of Illinois 3 from Venice to Sauget-Cahokia and the Interstate 55-64-70 Tri-Level reconstruction in East St. Louis.

McKinley Bridge: $37 million has been set aside in fiscal 2004 to reopen the bridge over the Mississippi River.

 

US 67 corridor: The US 67 corridor extends nearly 226 miles from Alton north to Rock Island. The two- and four-lane corridor improvement costs that have been awarded total more than $605 million, and $192 million in projects is programmed during fiscal 2004-2008. The estimated unfunded cost to complete the four-lane sections in the US 67 corridor from Macomb southward to the Alton Bypass exceeds $1 billion.

--US 67 from west of the Jacksonville Bypass to east of the Concord-Arenzville Road: Construction projects and associated work totaling $15 million are programmed in fiscal 2004 to complete 3.1 miles of this new four-lane highway. TEA-21 provided $10 million in High Priority Project funds for the project.

--US 67 from south of the Greene County line to Interstate 72 (Central Illinois Expressway: Development of a four-lane highway for 14.7 miles in this corridor is under way. Construction for the 9.2-mile segment from Interstate 72 to two miles north of Manchester has begun. Construction and associated work for the remaining 5.5 miles, from two miles north of Manchester to one mile south of the Greene County line, are programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $24.1 million to complete the route.

--US 67 from Godfrey to Jerseyville in Madison and Jersey counties: Construction of 11.2 miles of new four-lane pavement is programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $77.9 million. Of this total, continuation of engineering for contract plans, bridge construction and construction engineering is programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $1.8 million. TEA-21 provided $11.9 million in High Priority Project funds for the first segment.

--Alton Bypass from Illinois 143 to US 67 in Godfrey: Construction of the four-lane Alton Bypass from Interstate 270 to US 67 in Godfrey is in progress. The segment from Interstate 270 to Illinois 143 is open to traffic. Construction on various bridges and side streets from Illinois 143 to Fosterburg Road is under way. Additional contracts for the 7.2-mile segment from Illinois 143 to Fosterburg Road are anticipated to be let this summer for mainline and side-street construction. Completion of the remaining 6.1 miles of mainline pavement from Fosterburg Road to US 67 in Godfrey and 2.5 miles of construction on cross streets are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $69 million. Of this total, $6.8 million is programmed in fiscal 2004 for construction on a cross street, bridges, completion of land acquisition and miscellaneous work. TEA-21 provided $5 million in High Priority Project funds for a portion of the land acquisition.

 

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Interstate 74 from Sterling Avenue in Peoria to Washington Street in East Peoria: Interstate 74 through Peoria was constructed in the late 1950s to early 1960s and does not meet current interstate standards. The cost for reconstruction and modernization of 8.3 miles is estimated at $461 million, the largest downstate interstate modernization project ever undertaken by Illinois. Engineering and other preliminary work have been completed or are under way at a cost of nearly $189 million. Projects to finish the reconstruction and modernization are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $272.1 million. Of this total, preliminary work and reconstruction are programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $42 million, including $22.4 million for 1.5 miles of reconstruction, interchange reconstruction, bridge work and construction engineering from west of Sterling Avenue to Gale Avenue in Peoria.

US 20 from Galena to Freeport: Preliminary engineering is under way to prepare a location and design report and an environmental impact statement for improving the existing 50 miles to four lanes. A draft Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared, and public hearings are anticipated later in 2003. Design approval will follow the public hearings. The ISTEA in 1991 provided $2 million in federal demonstration funds for this study. In addition, the fiscal 1992 federal appropriation bill provided $2.1 million in other demonstration funds.

--US 20 from Illinois 84 (NW) to southeast of Galena (Galena Bypass): Engineering for location studies is under way within the Galena-to-Freeport corridor. Engineering for contract plans and land acquisition for the 6.5-mile bypass are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $6.5 million. Of this total, engineering for contract plans is programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $5 million. Additional engineering and construction are not currently funded.

 

--S 20, Freeport Bypass: Land acquisition, an interchange at Illinois 75 and additional lanes for 6.1 miles from east of Illinois 26 to west of Springfield Road east of Freeport are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $24.2 million. Of this total, grading for the additional lanes, new bridge, interchange reconstruction, utility work and land acquisition are programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $15.6 million.

US 51 -- Decatur to Pana: Since 1990, the department has invested $43.9 million on upgrading US 51 to four lanes south of Decatur, including the completed construction for 9.2 miles from north of Elwin to north of the Macon-Shelby County line. Construction is under way for another 5.5 miles at a cost of $16.2 million, from north of the Macon-Shelby County line to 0.9 mile south of Moweaqua. Engineering for contract plans is also under way for US 51 from 0.9 mile south of Moweaqua to 2.9 miles north of Illinois 16 at a cost of $1.2 million. Also, $1.5 million is included in the fiscal 2003 Proposed Improvements for Illinois Highways for land acquisition of properties from willing sellers deemed to be hardship cases for the section from south of Moweaqua to the Shelby County line south of Pana. Land acquisition, archaeological surveys and utility adjustments are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $930,000. The remaining work to complete the 12.1-mile section from 0.9 mile south of Moweaqua to 2.9 miles north of Illinois 16 north of Pana is currently unfunded.

Illinois 5 (Blackhawk Road) from 24th Street to 38th Street in Rock Island: Construction of additional lanes for one mile and utility work are programmed during fiscal 2005-2008 at a cost of $5.1 million.

Illinois 40 from Cedar Hills Drive to Illinois 6 in Peoria: Construction of additional lanes, intersection improvement and resurfacing for 2.6 miles are programmed during fiscal 2005-2008 at a cost of $20.5 million.

 

US 136-Illinois 336, Quincy-to-Macomb corridor: A new four-lane highway from US 24 near Quincy to north of West Point Road is open to traffic. Construction contracts are under way to continue the four lanes northerly from north of West Point Road to three miles south of Carthage and for a 1.2-mile segment from Deere Road to County Highway 18 west of Macomb. The 60 miles of four-lane highway from Quincy to Macomb are fully funded. Construction on the remaining 26.3 miles from three miles south of Carthage to County Highway 18 west of Macomb is programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $140.6 million. Of this total, engineering for contract plans, land acquisition, utility adjustments and construction to provide five lanes from US 136 east of Township Road 266 to County Highway 18 are programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $13.3 million. The ISTEA in 1991 provided $4.9 million in federal demonstration funds, and TEA-21 provided $3.9 million in High Priority Project funds for this project.

Illinois 29 from Rochester to Taylorville: Development of a four-lane highway for 18.8 miles in this corridor is under way. A construction contract for a 5.1-mile segment from Rochester to south of Berry was recently awarded.

Engineering for contract plans from 0.8 miles south of Berry to 1.2 miles south of Edinburg is programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $1.5 million. Construction for this segment is not funded.

New four-lane construction, bridge replacement and associated work for 6.7 miles from south of Edinburg to south of Illinois 104 in Taylorville are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $25.2 million. Of this total, land acquisition is programmed in fiscal 2004 at a cost of $200,000.

Northeastern Illinois

Interstate 55 at Arsenal Road: Interchange reconstruction, bridge replacement, land acquisition, lighting and engineering are programmed during fiscal 2005-2008 at a cost of $27.7 million. This work is being done in conjunction with the development of the Joliet Arsenal facility, which, when completed, will be the largest intermodal facility in the nation.

Interstate 80 from Interstate 94 (Bishop Ford Expressway) to Indiana state line: Construction of additional lanes for three miles, reconstruction, bridge replacement, interchange reconstruction and engineering are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $367.1 million. Of this total, $110.5 million is included in fiscal 2004 for engineering for contract plans, land acquisition, bridge replacement or fabrication at six locations, pavement widening, shoulder reconstruction, lighting, grading and paving at Illinois 394, and construction engineering.

 

Interstate 94-90 (Dan Ryan Expressway) from 31st Street to south of the Interstate 57 interchange: Reconstruction of 8.5 miles of the existing local and express lanes and engineering are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $505.2 million. Of this total, $165.2 million is programmed in fiscal 2004 for engineering for contract plans, reconstruction, bridge replacement at three locations, auxiliary lanes, additional ramps, retaining walls and lighting.

US 6 (159th Street) from Interstate 294 in Markham to Illinois 1 (Halsted Street): Reconstruction for 2.3 miles, bridge replacement, new bridge, intersection improvement, land acquisition, construction engineering, demolition, utility adjustment and lighting are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $53.5 million. Of this total, $450,000 is included in the fiscal 2004 program for land acquisition and demolition. TEA-21 provided $1.3 million in High Priority Project funds for this project.

Illinois 59-US 30 (Division Street-Brook Forest Avenue) from Illinois 126 (Lockport Road) to US 52 (Jefferson Street): Additional lanes for 6.3 miles, land acquisition, utility adjustment and engineering for right of way and contract plans are programmed during fiscal 2004-2008 at a cost of $60.2 million. Of this total, $4.1 million is included in fiscal 2004 for land acquisition and engineering for right of way and contract plans.

Algonquin Bypass from the north junction of Illinois 31 to the south junction of Illinois 31: IDOT participation for engineering for contract plans and new construction are programmed during FY 2004-2008 at a cost of $36 million. Of this total, $2 million is included in fiscal 2004 for land acquisition.

[Illinois Government News Network
press release]

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