GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS FIRST FUNDS FOR ROSEVILLE BYPASS

ROSEVILLE -- Governor George H. Ryan today underscored the benefits of the Illinois FIRST program by visiting the future site of the Roseville Bypass -- the last section in the expressway between Monmouth and Macomb.

"This four-and-a-half mile westerly bypass has been on hold for many years for lack of funding," Ryan said. "Through Illinois FIRST, we can finally bridge the gap and complete the 32-mile, four-lane highway from Macomb to Monmouth."

Construction of the bypass, estimated at $16 million, is scheduled to get under way in the spring of 2001 and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2002

The full funding package includes $8.8 million in federal funds made available through the 1998 Transportation Equity Act, which authorized the federal highway and transit programs.

For the current fiscal year, $600,000 is programmed for land acquisition. The bypass will have an at-grade intersection at Illinois 116 to provide access to Roseville.

Governor Ryan's Illinois FIRST program for fiscal year 2000 included more than $30 million for US 67 corridor improvements. The proposed five-year Illinois FIRST highway program for fiscal years 2001-2005 provides another $339 million for development of the four-lane highway.

The bypass is part of the US 67 corridor that extends nearly 221 miles from Interstate 270 south of Alton to Interstate 280 at Rock Island.

"By improving US 67, we are helping Roseville and other communities along the corridor retain existing business and attract new development," Ryan added.