Walsh Announces More than $1 Billion in State Funding for Will County Transportation Projects

JOLIET, Ill. – More than $1 billion in state funding will help rebuild Will County’s roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure under an Illinois Department of Transportation multi-year improvement plan backed by state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood.

“This massive investment in transportation infrastructure will only further enhance Will

County’s role as the largest in-land port in North America. Every year, billions of dollars in goods flow across the roads, bridges, and train tracks in our communities as they travel across the country and out into the world,” said Walsh. “This investment in our infrastructure shows how important our region is. Not just for the continued prosperity of Illinois, but the United States and the world. I will continue to push for more and stronger investment to strengthen our local infrastructure and create jobs.”

Walsh is highlighting some of the major Will County projects included in IDOT’s multi-year plan:

• Reconstructing sixteen miles of I-80 from Ridge Rd to US 30: $165,000,000
• Reconstruction/bridge widening for I-80 from Houbolt Rd to Joliet Junction Trail: $ 94,496,000
• Bridge replacement and reconstruction for I-80 Des Plaines River Bridge: $210,957,000

The IDOT Multi-Year Program was released on July 7 and made possible by the work Walsh has done to enact fiscally responsible state budgets that prioritize economic development, and ensure road funding is being properly used to support road projects. This investment is one of the largest commitments made in transportation infrastructure in the history of Illinois.