Governor Quinn Announces $8.8 Million for Construction Projects in Logan, McLean and Peoria Counties

PEORIA - Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment of $8.8 million for construction projects in Logan, McLean and Peoria Counties. Funded by his Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the projects are part of Governor Quinn's commitment to creating jobs and driving Illinois' economy forward.

"These projects will improve traffic flow and safety in central Illinois, which benefits everyone," Governor Quinn said. "The projects will also employ a number of construction workers, which will drive local economies forward."

The projects will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Logan County

Bridge and culvert structures in Logan County that carry Illinois Route 10 over Sugar Creek, the creek's overflow channel, and a ditch will be replaced and repaired. Otto Baum Company, Inc. of Morton was the lowest of six bidders at $3,739,466.

McLean County

Illinois Route 54 will be improved for a distance of 7.89 miles in McLean County with new four-foot shoulders and rumble strips. The improvements will be done from northeast of I-74 to State Street in Bellflower. Rowe Construction, a Division of UCM, Inc. of Bloomington was the lowest bidder at $2,384,618.

Two bridges in Bloomington will be cleaned and painted for $915,979. One bridge carries Business Route U.S. 51 southbound/ South Center Street over Mill Street and the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The other bridge carries U.S. Route 150 over Interstate 74. The lowest of six bidders was Three Star Painting, Inc. of Merrillville, Indiana.

The sanitary treatment system at the Funks Grove Rest Area along I-55 will be repaired and renovated for $465,464 by Otto Baum Company, Inc. of Morton, the lower of two bidders.

Peoria County

Structural steel is being fabricated for replacement bridges that will carry Adams Street and Jefferson Street over westbound Interstate 74 in Peoria. The contract for the structural steel was awarded to Industrial Steel Construction, Inc. of Hodgkins, whose $189,000 bid was the lower of two submitted.

Numerous regulatory and warning signs throughout Peoria County will be replaced for $1,022,000 by Western Remac, Inc. of Woodridge, the lowest of five bidders.

The contract for landscape maintenance along Interstate 74 from Ellis Street to the Illinois River in Peoria was awarded to Central Landscaping, LP of Princeville, the lowest of three bidders at $137,882.

"Keeping bridges up to date is more than just routine maintenance," State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) said. "It's an important investment in public safety that protects drivers and puts people to work."

"Through a strong partnership of state and local elected officials, we have been able to make improvements to our infrastructure to meet the needs of Peoria's residents and businesses," State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) said. "These improvements to Adams and Jefferson street bridges will not only help create construction jobs, but also meet the needs of our growing community."

The projects are 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 construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.