JB Pritzker, the Illinois governor, along with the Illinois Department of Transportation, has gone on to announce the largest multi-year infrastructure program in the history of the state, which amounts to just over $50 billion.
It is well to be noted that the funds are spread out over a span of six years, benefiting every Illinois county through all modes of transportation. The supported projects happen to include roads and bridges, transit, aviation, freight, and passenger rail, as well as waterways along with bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
According to Gia Biagi, Illinois Transportation Secretary, this new multi-year infrastructure program is not just going to create jobs and economic opportunity, but it will also enhance the quality of life in Illinois, thereby making it way easier to catch a bus, walk and bike, deliver goods, and get one safely from where they are to where they need to be.
Apparently, the Fiscal Year 2026-31 Proposed Highway and Multimodal Improvement Program goes on to allocate –
- $32.5 billion to the state and local roads as well as bridges
- $13.8 billion for transit
- $2.9 billion when it comes to freight and passenger rail
- $1.2 billion for aviation
- $200 million throughout ports and waterways
The program is all set to build or enhance 7,107 miles of state roads as well as 8.4 million feet of bridge deck across the state system. It also would cover 1,654 miles of local roads along with 1.3 million feet of bridge deck, which would be managed by localities.
Notable projects happen to include connecting Chicago and the Quad Cities through passenger rail; airports across Metro East, Rockford, Lansing, and Whiteside County, as well as Peoria; and also a Chicago Transit Authority training and control center facility.
One of the portions of the program’s funds will be going to the disadvantaged or economically distressed communities. These grants will go on to benefit 177 roads, 34 bikes, and pedestrian improvements, as well as 10 transit upgrades along with two ports. All projects should work along with small, local minority- and women-owned firms.
According to Camille Lilly, the State Rep., they want the often-overlooked communities to flourish. She added in a statement that Rebuild Illinois is indeed going to be a major factor when it comes to accomplishing this mission through restoring the structure of the state, therefore ultimately helping the families to go ahead and save their well-earned money, while at the same time, building equitable communities that are going to thrive for years ahead.
Apparently, the funding has been largely made possible due to the bipartisan legislation dubbed Rebuild Illinois. Passed in 2019, the capital program has gone on to fund almost $20.8 billion in statewide improvements throughout 21,309 highway miles and 815 bridges, as well as 1,181 additional safety upgrades.