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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

IDOT Announces $8.4 Billion Improvement Program

IDOT

Illinois Department of Transportation officials announced an $8.4 billion, six-year program to improve roads and bridges.

But IDOT warned it won't be enough to keep the overall condition of the state's infrastructure from deteriorating.

Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn says finding long-term, sustainable funding is urgent. The vast majority of the funding for the new multi-year plan comes from federal aid.

The program is focused on maintenance, rather than new construction. It includes $351 million for the Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction project in Chicago and $197 million to replace the U.S. 150 bridge over the Illinois River in Peoria.

IDOT predicts only 62 percent of highways will be in acceptable condition by the end of the program in fiscal year 2021.

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