Governor Quinn Announces $748,000 for Road Work on University of Illinois Campus

URBANA – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of more than $748,000 for road work on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus, part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. The project is part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Our investment will make a key area of campus safer and easier for bicyclists and pedestrians to use,” Governor Quinn said. “The project will also employ a number of construction workers, which will drive the local economy forward.”

“We are grateful for this assistance from the state in completing these projects to improve streets and bike lanes for our students, faculty, staff and visitors,” University of Illinois Chancellor Phyllis Wise said.

The project involves pavement reconstruction on Sixth Street between Armory Avenue and Gregory Drive, and Stadium Drive at South Neil Street. This includes the installation of bicycle lanes and replacing traffic signals. Duce Construction Company of Champaign was the lowest of six bidders for the general construction work at $498,680. The electrical work will be performed by Champaign Signal & Lighting Company, LLC of Urbana for $249,730. The project will be overseen by the Illinois Capital Development Board.

“This project will add to the safety of the faculty, staff and especially the students at the University as they traverse this busy area of campus” State Representative Naomi Jakobsson (D-Champaign) said. “While campus safety is increased, the investment will spur our local economy by putting community businesses and workers on the job.”

The project is part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.