Illinois Road Program Not Enough To Keep Highways Acceptable
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois transportation officials have announced an $8.4 billion, six-year program to improve roads and bridges.
But the Illinois Transportation Department warned in an announcement Thursday it won't be enough to keep the overall condition of the state's infrastructure from deteriorating.
Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn says finding long-term, sustainable funding is urgent.
The vast majority of the funding for the new multi-year plan comes from federal aid. The program is focused on maintenance, rather than new construction.
The plan includes $351 million for the Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction project in Chicago and $197 million to replace the eastbound U.S. 150 bridge over the Illinois River in Peoria.
But IDOT forecasts that by the end of the program in fiscal year 2021, only 62 percent of highways will be in acceptable condition.
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