Had Illinois not passed a budget by June 30, a prolonged delay in road projects caused by a government shutdown would have cost the state $345 million weekly, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) analysis.
Work would have stopped on 900 projects valued at $2.2 billion and affected 30,000 employees.
Project costs can increase from between 1 percent and 1.5 percent monthly, when delayed.
“Each year, that $2.2 billion in annual highway and bridge construction spending adds up to more than $5.7 billion in total economic output for Illinois businesses, and adds nearly $3 billion to the state’s GDP,” the publication Better Roads said, citing ARTBA research. “Highway- project delays result in direct and indirect costs to the public, including wasted time and fuel for travelers in the corridor, the effect on businesses and their consumers from the increased roadway congestion, construction cost increases, and the economic impact of project delays.”
Days before the shutdown deadline, the Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Association had said a shutdown would cost at least $3 million daily in direct costs.
Illinois passed a budget July 6 after two years of debates, overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto. The state is $15 billion behind on payments to creditors.