Rebuild Illinois = transportation projects statewide
CTA, Metra, Pace, Amtrak
Chicago transportation projects are a major part of the $45 billion capital spending plan signed by Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker on Friday.
The plan, dubbed Rebuild Illinois, allocates a total of $33.2 billion for transportation projects statewide over the next six years, including $25.3 billion of state, federal, and local funds for roads and bridges; $4.5 billion for mass transit, $1.1 for rail projects, and $50 million in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects.
“Our roads, bridges, transit providers, ports, rail systems and ability to grow bicycle and pedestrian accommodations have been neglected for too long,” said acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Because of Gov. Pritzker’s leadership and the General Assembly’s bipartisan support of transportation, IDOT is back in the business of building a premier transportation network that creates jobs and improves quality of life.”
Here’s an overview of Chicago-specific projects in line to receive funding:
Kennedy Expressway: $561 million for reconstruction, additional lanes, and other capacity enhancements on the connector road from I-90 to O’Hare Airport. An additional $72.6 million for bridge work from the Edens Expressway (I-94) to Hubbard Street.
95th Street: $92 million to rebuild an intersection at Stony Island Avenue that Time Magazine deemed the most dangerous intersection in Illinois. The project involves rebuilding railroad bridges to accommodate wider intersection and bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Green Line: $60 million to rebuild the CTA’s Cottage Grove station.
Blue Line: $50 million to upgrade and modernize the power system of the O’Hare branch of the Blue Line—which is expected to help speed travel times and increase capacity. An additional $31.5 million will be earmarked for new canopies at various stations.
Ida B. Wells Drive: $25.4 million for major bridge improvements under the Old Post Office, at 433 W. Van Buren Street, which is currently being redeveloped into office space.
Other regional projects involving Chicago:
$100 million for the Kendall County Metra rail extension.
$220 million in upgrades for Pace suburban bus service.
$275 million for expanding Amtrak passenger rail between Chicago and Rockford.
$225 million for Amtrak passenger rail from Chicago to the Quad Cities.
$100 million for improvements in Amtrak passenger rail for Chicago to Carbondale.
Funding for the state’s transportation projects will mostly come from a doubling of the state’s 19-cent-per gallon gas tax, which went into effect on July 1. The bill also increases license plate fees by $50 to $151 annually and raises the fee for electric vehicles to $248 starting January 1.