01/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/07/2024 00:19
Gov. Pritzker's capital program modernizing infrastructure throughout region and Illinois
KANKAKEE- Entering one of its busiest construction seasons ever, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that major projects in the Kankakee area are planned or underway, fueled by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. Eleven major projects combined represent a total investment of more than $226 million, improving safety and mobility while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region.
"Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in the Kankakee area and throughout the state," said Gov. Pritzker. "Through the largest capital program in state history, IDOT will be delivering improvements to build a more resilient, accessible and equitable system of transportation for generations to come, while creating jobs and enhancing local quality of life."
Of the 11 major projects in Kankakee, one is completed, two are underway and will be completed in 2024, two more are scheduled to begin this year, two are scheduled to begin in 2025 and the remaining four continue to be planned for future construction dates.
Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is investing a total of $33.2 billion over six years into the state's aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history, but also the first that touches all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
"The Rebuild Illinois projects happening in the City of Kankakee and Kankakee County are shaping our future and putting us on the path for growth and prosperity," said Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis. "By modernizing our highway interchanges, roads and infrastructure, our local communities are attracting development near these projects that is creating jobs, revenue and further opportunities for our local and statewide economy."
Accomplishments through March 31 of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $14.8 billion of improvements statewide on 6,078 miles of highways, 629 bridges and 895 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state.
"Under Gov. Pritzker, IDOT continues to deliver projects in the Kankakee area that strengthen the state's entire multimodal system of transportation," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "If you are traveling anywhere in Illinois this construction season, you will be traveling through work zones. Put down the devices. Follow the signs. And when you see orange, slow down and save lives."