Governor Ryan Opens Newest Section of Illinois 336 in West Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today led local officials and state legislators in the ribbon cutting officially opening the new six-mile section of Illinois 336 that brings the Quincy to Macomb expressway to nearly 40% completion.

"This is an important day for west central Illinois," Governor Ryan said. "More than 22 miles of the expressway have now been completed and opened to traffic from north of Quincy to Illinois 94. This four-lane highway will open up the region to economic development."

Governor Ryan made the commitment to completing the remaining 35 miles of Illinois 336 when he announced the Illinois Department of Transportation's highway program in Quincy last spring. Illinois FIRST will provide funding to complete the remaining 35 miles of Illinois 336. IDOT has already received bids for nearly $25 million in work on two more sections of the roadway that will begin next year.

"Illinois FIRST is the reason we're standing here today, and the reason the remaining 35 miles of Illinois 336 are going to be built." Governor Ryan said.

During his administration, Governor Ryan has committed nearly $220 million to ensure the completion of Illinois 336 from Quincy to Macomb. The current cost estimate for the entire Quincy to Macomb portion of Illinois 336 is projected to be from $270 million to $307 million, including more than $87 million that has already been spent on the project. Engineering work is still underway that will determine the final cost.

The six-mile section opened today extends Illinois 336 from the Adams/Hancock County line to Illinois 94, one mile north of West Point Road. The $14.3 million construction project began November 17, 2000.

The Illinois Department of Transportation received bids on November 9th of this year for an additional 8.7 miles of work at two locations. The new projects include 7.5 miles of grading and paving for four lanes from Illinois 94 to three miles south of Carthage; and 1.2 miles of reconstruction on U.S. 136 to provide a five-lane roadway from McDonough County Highway 18 to Deere Road at the west edge of Macomb. The bids will be reviewed and could be awarded later this year.

Additionally, engineering work is scheduled to begin in Fiscal Year 2002 for contract plans for the segment from three miles south of Carthage to two miles east of Carthage, and for the segment from Illinois 61 to U.S. 136 near Macomb.