Multiple projects that are part of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois have been completed, are in the process, or have been extended into future construction season, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.
“Rebuild Illinois is not only about investing in infrastructure but about investing in people and communities as well. This first full year of Rebuild Illinois brought projects to the Bloomington-Normal area that created jobs and invested in the local economy in a way that was sorely needed,” Pritzker said. “The work completed this year is just the start of many more local improvements that will build better and safer roads and bridges while keeping communities like Bloomington-Normal competitive and strengthening our state’s status as a transportation hub for the nation.”
Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois invests $33.2 billion into the state’s transportation system to rebuild its roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. It is the largest capital program in state history, and the first that touches all modes of transportation.
As part of the new FY 2021-26 Proposed Highway Improvement Program, IDOT will invest $21.3 billion over the next six years, the Rebuild Illinois second-multi-year plan.
The initial investment includes five projects in the Bloomington-Normal area, representing a total investment of $13.8 million for the region. Two – overlay work on Interstate 55/74 from Fox Creek Road to Sugar Creek Road and resurfacing on Old Route 66 from Shirley to I-74 have been completed. The other three are scheduled to be completed in 2021.
“Our mission to keep this construction season on schedule has not wavered, despite the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19,” said Acting Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We completed several major Bloomington-Normal area projects this year and are on track to finish others in 2021, which will improve safety, quality of life, and create economic opportunity for many years to come.”