Gov. Blagojevich announces U.S. Rt. 67 Web site to highlight progress on key corridor for Western Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today a new Web site where the public can track improvements along the U.S. Route 67 corridor.  The interactive site, maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will contain updates and background information on this important long-term project, which ultimately will provide a convenient route for the transport of goods and services and serve as an economic engine, which will attract new businesses and enable the western part of the state to better compete in the global marketplace.

The $25.4 billion Illinois Works capital improvement program includes $92.7 million for improvement projects along the corridor, which serves much of western Illinois. The state's goal is to eventually create a 220-mile, four-lane highway, linking the Quad Cities with Alton.

 

"U.S. 67 is just one of countless projects in the Illinois Works program and I urge House members to return to Springfield and approve the plan," said Gov. Blagojevich.  "In the meantime, this Web site will keep area residents up to date on progress towards making U.S. 67 a four-lane highway from the Quad Cities to Alton. The project will provide a valuable transportation corridor and will help spur economic development in the western part of our state.  It is critical for the House to pass Illinois Works, so we can move forward with this project."

 

The new U.S. 67 Web site can be found on IDOT's Web site www.dot.il.gov under "Projects" or by going directly to:  http://www.dot.state.il.us/us67/index.html.

 

Vital funding to continue the efforts to complete the U.S. 67 corridor project is included in the Illinois Works statewide capital plan that passed the Illinois Senate with bipartisan, unanimous support.  Illinois Works includes $92.7 million for U.S. 67 improvements, including:

"There is a tremendous amount of interest in the U.S. 67 corridor in the western part of Illinois.  IDOT has created this new Web site so the public can stay informed about the progress we are making toward our eventual goal of creating a four-lane highway, stretching from the Quad Cities to Alton," said IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees.

 

Currently, more than $724 million in work has been completed or is in progress for the two and four-lane corridor improvements along U.S. 67.  In addition, as part of the FY 2008-2013 Proposed Highway Improvement Program, $21.6 million is programmed in FY 2008 and $131.3 million is programmed during FY 2009-2013.  The estimated unfunded cost to complete the four-lane sections from Macomb southward to the Alton Bypass is between $1.5 and $1.7 billion.

 

The U.S. Route 67 corridor Web site provides a map showing the proposed alignment, and progress of the improvements at any point along the alignment.  The Web site provides the latest programming information, along with insight into the progress of the corridor development.  It also contains information on who to contact at IDOT with questions or comments, provides answers to frequently asked questions and explains the scope of the improvements.

 

In 1982, the first feasibility study for two and four-lane improvements on U.S. 67 was completed for the section between Monmouth and Macomb.  Since then, feasibility, design and environmental studies have been completed for the sections between Monmouth and Alton.

 

The U.S. 67 corridor begins at Interstate 280 at Rock Island and extends south to Interstate 270, south of Alton.  This includes Illinois 255, known as the Alton Bypass.  The 220 mile project involves the reconstruction of 182 miles of the primarily two-lane existing roadway into a four-lane expressway, on an improved alignment from Monmouth to Alton.  These efforts will result in more efficient transportation and increased commerce opportunities, and will improve roadway safety for the traveling public by bringing a divided highway configuration into an area of the state where it previously did not exist.

 

The U.S. 67 corridor passes through or near Alton, Godfrey, Jerseyville, Carrollton, White Hall, Jacksonville, Meredosia, Beardstown, Rushville, Industry, Macomb, Roseville, Monmouth, and Moline.