Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced a record-breaking $50 billion investment in infrastructure improvement programs.
The new investments are part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, with Pritzker announcing new allocations for projects in transit, rail, marine, and road programs.
“Today, I’m proud to launch the latest roadmap – the largest in the history of the Illinois Department of Transportation,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Over the next six years, we’ll continue investing across the board in order to build the best infrastructure system in the nation – and create good jobs for Illinoisans in the process. From Chicago and Rockford to Springfield and Decatur, to Carbondale and Metropolis, every corner of our great state will benefit.”
The projects will include state funding, along with funding from the federal government and private entities, according to a press release from IDOT.
Several major passenger rail projects are part of the allocations, including a $270 million investment to re-establish passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago. Another $388.8 million will re-establish passenger rail service between Chicago and the Quad Cities, according to the press release.
Another $98 million was earmarked for upgrades on Amtrak’s Saluki service between Chicago and Carbondale, with $175 million heading to operations and training for the CTA.
In all, $50.6 billion is allocated to build and repair infrastructure in the state as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program.
State officials estimate that more than 7,000 miles of roadway will be improved or built in Chicago and in the collar counties as part of the project.
Another $400 million was earmarked for more than 200 different local projects, which will help build bike lanes and other infrastructure around the state.
“Under Gov. Pritzker, our investments in transportation are doing more than ever to connect people to the meaningful destinations in their lives,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “This new multi-year construction program will not only create jobs and economic opportunity, but it will also improve quality of life in Illinois – making it easier to walk and bike, catch a bus, deliver goods, and get you safely from where you are to where you need to be.”