AASHTO Journal, 11 April 2014
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn this week put forth a plan that would invest $8.6 billion in transportation construction across the state over the next six years in order to “build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois’ economy forward.”
“This comprehensive plan for our highways, public transit, rail and airport projects will make critical repairs and major improvements across Illinois,” Quinn said in a statement. “A booming economy requires a 21st century infrastructure. Our infrastructure plan will create thousands of construction jobs now while paving the way for more jobs and economic development in the future.”
Quinn’s plan, which accounts for fiscal years 2015 (which begins July 1, 2014) through 2020, seeks to improve 1,845 miles of highway and replace or repair 384 bridges across the state. In addition, Quinn calls for investment in public transportation and airports. In FY 2015 alone, the plan allows for $1.88 billion for road projects, $1.85 billion for public transportation, $2.7 million for rail, and $161 million for airport improvements.
“We have made tremendous progress the past few years toward improving the state’s transportation infrastructure,” said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. “However, with federal revenue sources dwindling and the end in sight for Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! [capital construction] program, I look forward to supporting the Governor’s call for a bipartisan working group to find ways to continue this progress.”
Officials said that the plan is funded through $6.99 billion in “anticipated” federal funds, $1.16 billion in state funding, the remaining $158 million left from Quinn’s Jobs Now! program, and $450 million from local and other sources. The plan seeks to build on the Jobs Now! program, which has been the largest construction program in the state’s history, supporting more than 400,000 jobs over its six-year span.
Additional information on Quinn’s budget is available here.