Gov. Quinn announces $486M spring construction program for roads and bridges

Investment will put thousands to work across Illinois with one of the largest spring construction programs in state history

[March 27, 2013]  CHICAGO -- This week Gov. Pat Quinn announced $486 million in road and bridge projects that will be started this spring -- one of the largest early season construction programs in the state's history. The announcement is part of the governor's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward by investing in our transportation systems. Joined by Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider, the governor released a list of nearly 200 road and bridge projects across the state that will begin in the coming weeks.

"Illinois has a world-class transportation system, and we are making it even stronger by carrying out one of the largest spring construction programs ever," Quinn said. "This bold investment will help put thousands of people to work improving our roads and bridges and laying the foundation for economic development for years to come."

The governor and transportation secretary made the announcement Monday on Chicago's South Side, where a $32 million investment will rebuild the Stony Island Feeder to the Bishop Ford Freeway and Interstate 94. The project at the interchange, which handles up to 64,000 vehicles per day, involves the repair, reconstruction, removal and replacement of seven bridges. Scheduled for completion in 2014, the project also involves resurfacing and replacing pavement, and intersection improvements. Upgrades to the lighting and signage will improve safety and make it easier for drivers to navigate the interchange.

"IDOT is thrilled to be able to move forward with this important project," said Schneider. "Thanks to Gov. Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now capital program, Illinois has been able to make critical improvements to our highways, railways and airports across the state."

IDOT also announced additional Chicago-area transportation investments, including a $19.4 million bridge replacement project at Cumberland Avenue over the Kennedy Expressway, $3.5 million in additional bridge repairs on the Kennedy, and $2.6 million on resurfacing projects on Illinois Route 43 and Harlem Avenue at Higgins Avenue in Chicago and on West 127th Street in Crestwood.

Many of the projects announced Monday are funded through legislation the governor championed in his State of the State address earlier this year. On those projects, IDOT is offering contractors a reimbursement rate of $10 an hour for hiring graduates of the Highway Construction Careers Training Program, an IDOT-sponsored initiative to encourage women and minorities to pursue careers in the transportation construction industry.

In 2009 Quinn spearheaded Illinois Jobs Now, the state's first capital construction program in a decade. The $31 billion capital construction program is the largest in Illinois history, supporting an estimated 439,000 construction jobs. The program includes $14 billion for transportation through 2015. Of the $14 billion in the program dedicated for transportation needs, IDOT has awarded 5,336 projects worth $12.68 billion, creating and supporting 160,000 jobs. These have included improvements to 6,809 miles of roadways and 1,113 bridges.

Combined with the Illinois Tollway's $12 billion capital program, "Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future," the state is carrying out one of the largest capital construction efforts in the nation.

For a complete list of the work being carried out by IDOT this spring, go to http://www.dot.il.gov/
desenv/042613/042613letg.html.

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Project list

[Text from file received from the Illinois governor's office]