A major road reconstruction project bordering the Chicago-Rockford International Airport is expected to boost business in the region.
Wednesday, Senator Dick Durbin toured the area to be rebuilt. He says the improvements to Falcon Road and Airport Drive will create or keep 700 jobs, as well put 100 construction employees to work.
I know what the unemployment numbers are here, in excess of 12% in most months. And so there’s a real need to make this infrastructure investment to get people back to work.
The improvements will make roads around the airport more attractive and accessible to both travelers and businesses. Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey says the improvements will “tell the world we are going to step up to the plate and have a world class gateway into our airport,” helping the region become even more competitive globally.
Senator Durbin says the project has earned the fourth largest U.S. Economic Development Administration grant in the nation: the 2.7 million in federal dollars makes up a large chunk of the $10-million project. Construction is expected to begin next spring.
Here’s what the E.D.A. released regarding the project in June:
$2.7 million to the City of Rockford and the Greater Rockford Airport Authority, Rockford, Illinois, to reconstruct major roads at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport to support heavy truck traffic. The increased truck traffic will result in business growth and job creation. This investment is part of a $9,577,600 project that the grantees estimate will create 711 jobs and generate $77 million in private investment.
