Press Release - Monday, April 26, 2004
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GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES $10.3 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY RETURNS FUNDING FOR SOUTHWEST REGION ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod Blagojevich today announced $10.3 million in additional state funding for capital road improvement projects in the Southwest region. These key improvements, which will begin this summer, will help spur the local economy and create construction jobs. An aggressive campaign to enhance the quality of roads in Southwestern Illinois is a major component of the Governor's Opportunity Returns initiative for the Southwest region, his pro-active, comprehensive plan for restoring economic opportunity to the area and throughout the state.
Recognizing that safe and reliable roads are vital to capturing new investment in the area, helping existing businesses thrive, and creating future growth, Governor Blagojevich believes that making these capital investments is critical to providing real economic opportunity for people and business in the Southwest region, both today and tomorrow.
"The Southwest region's extensive infrastructure network is one of its greatest assets," said Governor Blagojevich. "We need to continue developing a seamless bi-state transportation network to make sure that Southwestern Illinois can continue to grow and reach its potential for economic growth. The road projects we will start this summer will go a long way toward helping the region reach that potential."
The seven new Southwest region projects starting this summer cover almost 22 miles of road.
| County | City | Description | Est. Cost |
| Madison | Troy | I-55/I-70/US 40 - I-255 to E. of I-55/70/270 Intchg - Patching | $2,400,000 |
| Madison | Granite City | ILL 3-Industrial Dr. to McKinley Bridge (6.75 miles) Resurfacing | $3,000,000 |
| Madison | Alton | ILL 3 & ILL 111-W. of Humbert St. to E. of Washginton Drainage Correction | $700,000 |
| Madison | Roxana | ILL 143 - E. Kendall to East of Drda Lane (4.08 miles) Resurfacing & Guardrail | $800,000 |
| Madison | East Alton | ILL 143&ILL 3 - Discovery / Marion Hts. Rd to ILL3 (3.8 miles) Resurfacing | $1,500,000 |
| St. Clair | Millstadt | ILL 163-ILL 157 in Centreville to ILL 158 (7.05 miles) Resurfacing | $1,500,000 |
| St. Clair | Districtwide Guardrail & Median Cable | $400,000 |
"The Southwest region is located optimally to take advantage of bi-state commerce. This summer's Opportunity Returns road projects will make an already strong road structure even better. Governor Blagojevich's infrastructure initiatives will make a real difference for the Southwest region and throughout Illinios," said Timothy Martin, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Governor Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development plan is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions - finding areas with common economic strengths and needs, and developing a plan with specific actions for each region. This grassroots effort for the Southwest region is a product of significant outreach over several months with business, civic and labor leaders, and elected officials. The more than 50 specific projects that the Governor announced in December for Southwestern Illinois are designed to be flexible and effective. This plan is tailored to deliver real results that local businesses
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