Governor Quinn Announces $2.9 Million for Road Projects in Western Illinois

MACOMB – Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of more than $2.9 million for road projects in Adams, McDonough and Pike Counties, part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. The projects are part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Our investments will make it safer and more convenient for motorists traveling through western Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “The projects will also employ a number of construction workers, which will drive the local economy forward.”

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

Adams County: Two box culverts carrying U.S. Route 24 over the Frazier Creek Tributary and a drainage ditch will be replaced for $684,915 by County Contractors, Inc. of Quincy, the lowest of three bidders.

McDonough County: A new bridge will be constructed to carry Wigwam Hollow Road over the east fork of the LaMoine River in Macomb for $1,370,820 by County Contractors, Inc. of Quincy, the lowest of five bidders.

Work on University Drive in Macomb from Wigwam Hollow Road to North Western Avenue will be completed for $269,643 by Gunther Construction, a division of United Contractors Midwest, Inc. of Galesburg. The work includes milling, curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk replacement, pavement markings, signs, and other items.

Pike County: County Highway 11 from Township Road 337 to Martinsburg, a distance of just over three miles, will be resurfaced for $669,435 by Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc. of Ringwood, the lower of two bidders. The project uses a process called full depth reclamation, where old asphalt and base materials are pulverized, mixed with cement and water, and compacted to produce a strong, durable base. Since full-depth reclamation uses the old asphalt and base material for the new road, there’s no need to haul in aggregate or haul out old material for disposal. Truck traffic is reduced, and there is little or no waste.

“Maintenance and improvements to our transportation infrastructure are critical, particularly in a Midwestern state like Illinois which benefits from a lot of commercial traffic,” State Senator Sam McCann (R-Carlinville) said. “Additionally, the region will reap the economic boost that comes with job creation.”

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 capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.