Largest infrastructure program in Illinois history to improve transportation throughout state

(WAND) — The largest multi-year program to build and repair infrastructure in Illinois history was announced Wednesday. $50.6 billion over six years has been allocated for projects across the state.

The program includes $400 million spread across all modes of transportation, ranging from street and transit upgrades to bike and pedestrian improvements.

"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," said Governor JB Pritzker. "From Chicago and Rockford to Springfield and Decatur, to Carbondale and Metropolis, every corner of our great state will benefit."

The Fiscal Year 2026-31 Proposed Highway and Multimodal Improvement Program will invest $32.5 billion in state and local roads and bridges. $18.1 billion is programmed for other modes, including $13.8 billion for transit, $2.9 billion for freight and passenger rail, $1.2 billion for aviation and $200 million for ports and waterways.

"Funding these projects is a valuable investment that will create jobs, make it easier for Illinoisans to get where they need to go, and further cement our status as the transportation center of the country," said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).

Several counties throughout central Illinois will see funding, with over $600 million allocated to projects in the area.

Iroquois County

$39 million: I-57 bridge deck overlays, bridge joint replacement/repairs, culvert repairs, bridge superstructure replacements and new bridge decks on various structures from 1.2 miles south of Sugar Creek to 1.3 miles north of Prairie Creek.

Champaign County

$15.2 million: I-57 bridge replacement at Kirby Avenue west of Champaign
$13.2 million: Prospect Avenue resurfacing 1.8 miles, intersection improvement and other improvements from Marketview Drive to Springfield Avenue in Champaign

DeWitt County

$26 million: U.S. 51 reconstruction of 3 miles from McLean County line to Autumn Road south of Wapella

Edgar County

$22.9 million: U.S. 150/Illinois 1 resurfacing 16.7 miles, guardrail, ADA improvements, bridge deck overlay and land acquisition from U.S. 36 to south of Gibson Drive south of Paris.

Douglas County

$35 million: Illinois 133 resurfacing 11.9 miles, culvert replacements, utility adjustments, new shoulders, safety improvements and culvert extension from 0.5 mile east of I-57 to the Coles County line.

Piatt County

$26.3 million: I-72 resurfacing 10 miles from the Macon County line to Illinois 105 north of Monticello.

Vermilion County

$16.5 million: I-74 overhead bridge replacements at Township Road 102, County Highway 11 and Township Road 34B from north of Muncie to north of Fithian.

Logan County

$51 million: I-55 reconstruction of 3.8 miles from north of I-55 Business north of Lincoln to 1.9 miles north of Kickapoo Creek.

Sangamon County

$125 million: I-55 additional lanes and reconstruction of 7.8 miles, including ramp repair, from Illinois 54/Sangamon Avenue in Springfield to 2.7 miles south of Illinois 123 in Williamsville
$22.5 million: I-55 Business/6th Street/5th Street reconstruction of 0.61 miles, intersection reconstruction, turning lanes, sidewalks, bikeway and utility adjustments from Stevenson Drive to Stanford Avenue in Springfield.
$40 million: Illinois 97/125 additional lanes and reconstruction of 2.2 miles, bridge replacement, intersection reconstruction and a new bridge from Illinois 97/125 to Old Covered Bridge Lane.
$21 million: MacArthur Boulevard reconstruction of 1.5 miles, traffic signal replacement and ADA improvements from Wabash/Stanford Avenue to South Grand Avenue in Springfield.

Coles County

$76.1 million: I-57 rubblization/reconstruction of 10.9 miles from north of Illinois 16 to the Douglas County line.

Cumberland and Shelby Counties

$26.2 million: I-57 resurfacing 8.6 miles from the Effingham County line to Grand Turn Road.

Effingham County

$22.5 million: U.S. 40/45/Illinois 33/Fayette Avenue reconstruction and additional lanes of 1.2 miles, ADA improvements, curb and gutter, storm sewer and building demolition from Banker Street to Salt Creek in Effingham.

Macon County

$35.6 million: I-72/U.S. 36/51 resurfacing 10.2 miles (including ramp repair) from west of U.S. 51 west of Decatur to west of U.S. 51 in Forsyth.
$24.4 million: Old U.S. 51 Business resurfacing 1.1 miles and reconstruction of 2.1 miles, ADA improvements and traffic signal modernization from Illinois 121 to U.S. 36 in Decatur.

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