On May 14, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) released an $8.4 billion six-year highway construction plan as part of the state’s Proposed Highway Improvement Program. Of that, $1.85 billion is to be invested in Fiscal Year 2016, which begins July 1.
The program allows for maintenance on the state’s existing roads and bridges, financing improvements to 1,431 miles of highway and 357 bridges. IDOT noted that while 83 percent of state highways and 93 percent of bridges are currently in acceptable condition, without significant improvements over the next five years only 62 percent of highways and 86 percent of bridges will be in acceptable condition.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has been advocating for a statewide capital construction program to make improvements to the state’s transportation infrastructure.
The multiyear program in its entirety, and projects planned in certain regions in the state, can be viewed at goo.gl/gLOqt7<http://goo.gl/gLOqt7>.