PEORIA – May 4, 2009. Officials from Governor Pat Quinn’s administration were joined by state and local dignitaries in Peoria County today to announce the beginning of a project along a stretch of Interstate 74 that will create or retain about 120 jobs. The $8 million project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will repair and resurface the stretch of I-74 from the vicinity of Exit 82/Kickapoo to the vicinity of the I-474 interchange.

 

“We are excited to see construction projects getting underway here in the Peoria area. These projects are about putting Illinois residents back to work, which is one of the Governor’s top priorities,” said Acting IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig. “We are committed to making sure the federal Recovery dollars are working for people in Illinois and improving transportation across the state.”

 

Drivers should expect intermittent lane reductions and occasional nighttime work throughout the duration of the project in Peoria County, which encompasses 5.7 miles of I-74. The estimated completion date for this project is October 2009.

 

Drivers are urged to use caution and watch for workers and equipment while traveling through all work zones.

 

So far, Illinois has received funding approval for 249 projects statewide worth $606 million, according to federal transportation officials. For a complete list of projects submitted by the Illinois Department of Transportation to the U.S. Department of Transportation, visit www.dot.il.gov/stimulus/index.html.

 

Earlier this month Governor Quinn signed the $3 billion Jump Start Capital Plan which will help Illinois make critical improvements to roads, bridges and mass transit this construction season. Together, the Jump Start Capital Plan and the first round of Recovery transportation funding will create and retain approximately 60,000 jobs.