Long-term road projects worth more than $235 million have been given the green light under the recently approved state budget that also includes money for nine previously “unidentified” construction jobs that emerged from budget negotiations, according to a state official.
The projects, which are being accelerated to the fiscal year that began July 1, will be funded by a $261 million boost to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s road program, according to IDOT spokesman Matt Vanover. The additional funds raise the department’s road budget 21 percent over its anticipated $1.25 billion program, he said.
The vast majority of the items–more than 100–were in the department’s seven-year plan, Vanover said. But nine projects, which total about $12.1 million, were added as a result of the budget talks, he said.
“It’s my understanding that this is what came out of the budget discussions,” Vanover said.
The “new” projects include $3.9 million for road extensions and an improved intersection at Richland Community College in Downstate Decatur, where officials have been trying to lure the Farm Progress show. The event is considered the “super bowl” of the agricultural world that draws tens of thousands, according to a college official.
Kendall Dolly, the college’s marketing director, said officials believe the city is on the short list to hold the show. Even if the city isn’t chosen, the road project has been in the college’s long-term plan because it would improve access to the school, he said.
The vaguest item on the “new project” list is in Markham, where $1.8 million was approved for “various improvements” at “various locations” in the south suburb.
Vanover said the money is for road resurfacing and believed it was to finish off a recent project in Markham, but he did not have additional details.
State Rep. William Davis and Sen. M. Maggie Crotty, Democrats whose districts include the suburb, were unaware of the money. But a spokeswoman for Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) said it was connected to an Illinois FIRST project that was initiated when her predecessor, Harold Murphy, was in office.
The largest item on the new project list is $4 million for curbs, gutters, sidewalks and landscaping on 95th Street between Western Avenue and Pulaski Road in south suburban Evergreen Park.
Meanwhile, several Republican senators said the budget represents a boost in roadwork dollars for their districts.
According to Sen. Larry Bomke (R-Springfield) about 66 percent of the projects are in Democratic districts and 34 percent are in Republican jurisdictions. Last year, 80 percent were in Democratic districts and 20 percent in Republican areas, he said.
Vanover noted that major projects like the Dan Ryan Expressway reconstruction were approved several years ago. The Ryan project is expected to cost $545 million, Vanover said.
Some of the large projects in the long-term plan that were accelerated to this year include:
$16.3 million for reconstruction, signal timing, new culvert, lighting and sidewalks on U.S. Highway 20/Lake Street between Rohlwing and Addison Roads in DuPage County.
$10.6 million for additional lanes on Illinois Highway 22/Lake Zurich Road between Beusching and Quentin Roads in Lake County.
$22.3 million for a railroad grade separation, railroad crossing construction and signal installation on Illinois 22/Lake Zurich Road between Rand and Beusching Roads in Lake County.
$7 million for a bridge rehabilitation on Willow Road over U.S. Highway 45/Milwaukee Avenue and the Des Plaines River in Cook County.
$18.5 million for interchange reconstruction, bridge widening and lighting on Interstate Highway 80 at Interstate Highway 55 in Will County.
