Gov. Blagojevich rallies with leaders throughout southwest Illinois for the passage of a $3.2 billion capital bill that will grow the economy and create 230,000 jobs         

Jobs bill will build better roads, improve mass transit and ease school overcrowding throughout the region

[JAN. 24, 2006]  COLLINSVILLE -- Continuing to do everything possible to grow the economy and create more jobs in southwest Illinois, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich joined business and labor leaders and elected officials to aggressively advocate for the passage of a $3.2 billion capital bill that would help build new roads and schools and improve mass transit throughout the region. Southwest Illinois would receive at least $470 million in funding.

"There are roads and bridges and highways across Illinois that need to be built and need to be fixed," Blagojevich said. "We need to build new schools and help commuters who rely on mass transit. These are things that need to be done. So we should do them. And if we do them, we will give people all around Illinois the opportunity to go to work -- 230,000 jobs all across Illinois. And if we are prepared to put partisan politics aside and work together in a constructive way, we can create these jobs throughout our state. So please, let's pass this jobs bill. Let's put even more people to work."

In communities all across Illinois, critical construction projects could finally begin if the governor's $3.2 billion capital plan is approved, with an additional $3 billion coming in from the federal government for projects approved in the recent federal transportation bill.

"Over the past three years, Governor Blagojevich and I have been making the kinds of investments that are creating jobs and growing the economy here in southwest Illinois," said state Sen. William Haine, D-Alton. "But our work isn't done. We need this capital bill because our future depends on it. Our roads and schools are depending on it. Our working families are depending on it. We need to continue investing in infrastructure."

"There is no question that our economy is moving in the right direction and more people are back at work," said state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville. "But we must and can do more. I am strongly supporting Governor Blagojevich's efforts to pass this jobs bill because it will put even more men and women back on the job in southwest Illinois and across the state and spur a tremendous amount of economic development."

The following southwest Illinois projects would be funded under a capital plan:

Road projects:

Illinois 159 in Collinsville

$25 million for additional lanes and resurfacing on 2.3 miles, intersection reconstruction, and related work from 0.3 mile south of Beltline Road to 0.2 mile north of South Morrison Road.

North Illinois Street, Illinois Route 159 in Belleville

$12.5 million for improvements to Illinois 159 in Belleville from the public square to Illinois 15.

U.S. 67 Jerseyville bypass

Nearly $24 million for 0.4 mile of grading, three new bridges, a culvert, a bridge replacement, land acquisition, utility adjustments and engineering for U.S. 67 at Dearcy Creek, a tributary of Dearcy Creek and at Illinois 16.

U.S. 67 expansion

$24.2 million for engineering for the expansion of U.S. 67 to a four-lane expressway from north of Jerseyville to the Greene-Scott County line.

Illinois 3 in Waterloo

$15.6 million for additional lanes on 3.4 miles, land acquisition, utility adjustments and engineering from North Market Street to South Market Street.

College Avenue extension in Greenville

$1.8 million for a new bridge over U.S. 40 and the CSX Railroad east of Illinois 127.

Governor's Parkway in Edwardsville

$14 million is included to construct a new three-lane thoroughfare from Illinois 159 to Interstate 55.

Gateway connector from Columbia to Troy

$10.4 million to begin engineering and land acquisition.

Interstate 55-70 interchange at Illinois Route 162 in Troy

$23.4 million is included to reconstruct the existing interchange carrying Illinois 162 over interstates 55 and 70.

Old Troy Road at Illinois Route 162 in Troy

$1.04 million to upgrade the intersection of Illinois 162 and Old Troy Road, which includes adjusting the alignment, adding turning lanes and installing traffic signals, if warranted.

First Street connector in Madison

$5.2 million for engineering required for the construction of a new two-lane facility from First Street to Collinsville Avenue near the Gateway Racetrack.

Belle Valley Industrial Park intersection improvements

$1.04 million for improvements needed for Belle Valley Industrial Park.

Illinois Route 3 at Queeny Drive in Sauget

$200,000 for signal upgrades and radius modifications at the intersection of Illinois Route 3 and Queeny Drive.

Fairview Heights study relieving congestion near Interstate 64

$1.04 million for engineering for improved access in the Fairview Heights area.

Illinois Route 127 in Nashville

$420,000 for engineering for the widening of Illinois 127 from two lanes to three lanes, beginning south of the I-64 interchange to First Street in Nashville.

U.S. Route 50 from Breese to Carlyle

$5.2 million for engineering to re-evaluate the existing environmental impact statement for U.S. Route 50 from I-64 to east of Carlyle. Phase II engineering will also begin with design plans for Breese to Carlyle.

School construction:

East St. Louis School District 189 would receive nearly $30 in million school construction grants.

Bethalto Community School District 8 would receive a $4.2 million school construction grant.

Central School District 104 in St. Clair County would receive a $415,000 school construction grant.

Public transportation:

Possible improvements to public transit under the capital bill could include new buses in the Metro East area and a possible MetroLink extension.

[News release]

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