LaHood hails passage of
transportation bill         

Views legislation as a job-creating program for Illinois

[JULY 29, 2005]  WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., said that final passage of the federal transportation bill reauthorization is great news for the Illinois economy. By a vote of 412-8, the U.S. House overwhelmingly passed the House-Senate compromise version of the Transportation Equity Act today (Friday). The bill now heads to President Bush for his signature. The bill includes millions of dollars for projects throughout central and western Illinois.

"For Illinois, this bill would provide a much-needed boost to our economy from the federal government," LaHood said. "I applaud the hard work of Speaker Hastert and the Illinois members of the Transportation Committee in securing a significant increase for the state of Illinois -- an increase which benefits all regions of the state. For Illinois, this bill increases transportation investments by over $1.5 billion during the next five years when compared to previous spending. This investment in the infrastructure of our state will put people to work, increasing tax revenue to help address our state's huge budget hole and helping to move the economy of Illinois in the right direction."

The following projects in the 18th Congressional District were included at the request of the Peoria congressman. Projects marked with an asterisk include funding requests by LaHood and the state's two U.S. senators.

• $4,800,000: Pekin -- upgrade Veterans Parkway *
• $3,600,000: Illinois Route 336 construction from Macomb to Peoria  *
• $2,600,000: Peoria -- Pioneer Parkway upgrade -- extension from Allen Road to Route 91 *
• $2,400,000: Eastern Peoria bypass and bridge (Ring Road) --- corridor study and land acquisition
• $1,962,058: Springfield -- improvements to Cockrell Lane *

• $1,762,058: Jacksonville -- downtown plaza improvements *
• $1,600,000: U.S. 67 -- west of Jacksonville bypass to east of Illinois Route 100
• $1,600,000: Illinois Route 29 from Illinois Route 6 to Interstate 180 and land acquisition
• $1,262,058: Havana -- upgrades to Broadway Street *
• $800,000: Peoria parking structure on Sears block
• $800,000: East Peoria -- Illinois Technology Boulevard upgrades
• $800,000: Rushville -- upgrade city streets
• $762,058: Bartonville -- street widening, improvements and sidewalk improvements
• $762,058: South Jacksonville -- West Vandalia Road upgrades
• $762,056: Illinois Route 8 from East Peoria to Washington -- preconstruction activities
• $762,056: Logan County -- reconstruction of Fifth Street Road
• $707,200: Oreana -- village road upgrades
• $534,400: Macon County -- upgrades to County Highway 22
• $400,000: Sangamon and Menard counties -- preconstruction activities for Sangamon Valley Trail
• $224,000: Washington -- upgrades for Mueller Road

[News release from Rep. Ray LaHood,
18th Congressional District]