Prairie State Wire

Governor JB Pritzker has announced a significant investment aimed at enhancing freight mobility across Illinois. The initiative, valued at nearly $200 million, will fund 22 projects designed to improve the state's freight infrastructure, thereby boosting job creation and economic opportunities while also focusing on safety and local quality of life.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is overseeing the allocation of these federal funds through the Illinois Competitive Freight Program. This program aligns with the objectives outlined in the Illinois State Freight Plan, prioritizing safety improvements, reliability enhancements, and strengthening intermodal connections.

"For the last four years, we've invested billions of dollars in communities across Illinois to restore and renew all modes of transportation throughout our state: roads, bridges, airports, and transit, as well as pedestrian and bike routes. And today, I'm proud to announce yet another leap forward — nearly $200 million for the freight routes that have defined Illinois for generations," said Governor JB Pritzker. "These funds will be used for 22 port, rail, and highway projects in Illinois to address bottlenecks, increase mobility, and improve the supply chain up and down the state."

Illinois is recognized as one of the top three states for freight activity in the United States. Each year sees 1.6 billion tons of freight worth $2.5 trillion moving through its borders. Among the projects announced was a $10 million award for Decatur to aid in constructing a Brush College Road overpass at Faries Parkway and Norfolk Southern Railroad—a project crucial for reducing congestion near Midwest Inland Port.

Additional projects include a $40 million allocation for capacity improvements at Kankakee's Illinois 17 interchange with Interstate 57; $4.3 million designated for upgrades at Kaskaskia Regional Port District; $7.2 million intended to expand three interstate rest areas with additional parking spaces for commercial trucks; and an $18.8 million investment in a new bridge over Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal on Illinois 50.

"Freight drives the Illinois economy in our role as the transportation hub of North America," stated Omer Osman, Secretary of IDOT. "Under Gov. Pritzker, IDOT is committed to improving freight movement locally, ultimately making Illinois more competitive in the global marketplace."

In Decatur specifically, this funding is expected to remove traffic congestion caused by nearly 200 trains weekly blocking roadways for extended periods—an issue affecting both commuters and emergency responders.

"This project has been a long time coming," commented Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. She emphasized that this grant bridges funding gaps essential for community development efforts involving various stakeholders such as city officials alongside business leaders from sectors like ADM or Primient.

Robert W. Guy from SMART-Transportation Division noted that "Grade separation projects like this one provide a win-win situation for workers and communities alike." He highlighted how separating rail tracks from vehicle pathways can significantly enhance safety standards within affected areas.

Governor Pritzker's leadership has seen IDOT spearhead Rebuild Illinois—the largest capital program ever undertaken by any state government—which dedicates $33.2 billion towards modernizing outdated transport systems statewide while promoting sustainable growth initiatives spanning multiple sectors including aviation or bicycle accommodations among others.