Governor Quinn Announces $7.5 Million for Construction Projects in Metro East Area

CENTREVILLE – Governor Pat Quinn today announced an investment of $7.5 million for construction projects in the Metro East area. 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 the Metro East area, 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 except where noted.

Madison County

A 5.5 mile stretch of Illinois Route 159 will be rehabilitated from north of Illinois Route 140 to Illinois Route 143. The work includes milling, resurfacing, bridge and culvert repairs, guardrail repair or replacement and pavement markings. Christ Bros. Asphalt, Inc. of Lebanon was the lowest of three bidders at $2,458,200.

A bridge over Indian Creek 1.5 miles west of Illinois Route 159 will be replaced for $853,505 by Thiems Construction Company, Inc. of Roxana, the lowest of six bidders.

Guardrails and impact attenuators will be replaced along more than seven miles of Interstate 255, from Illinois Route 143 to Fosterburg Road for $485,485 by Collins & Hermann, Inc. of St. Louis, the lowest of five bidders.  

The Village of Maryville will receive new pedestrian crossing signals, sidewalk improvements, curb and gutter and other items at various locations including West Main Street, Renee Drive and at Maryville Elementary School. Petroff Trucking Company, Inc. of Collinsville was the lowest of 11 bidders at $162,900.

The roof on the Cedar Building at the Alton Mental Health Center will be replaced for $131,802 by D.E. Martin Roofing Co., Inc. of Lebanon, the lowest of six bidders. The project will be managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board. 

Madison and St. Clair Counties

Illinois Department of Transportation facilities in Godfrey and East St. Louis will be improved for $516,000 by RJS Constructors, Inc. of Peoria in a project managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board. A salt dome and pole building will be constructed at the Godfrey Satellite facility, and a cold storage building will be constructed at the East St. Louis Yard.

St. Clair County

The bridge that carries Interstate 255 over Church Road and the Illinois Central Railroad in Centreville will be repaired for $2,800,889 by Plocher Construction Company, Inc. of Highland, the lowest of three bidders. The work includes joint repairs, a new waterproofing membrane system, deck and approach repairs.

New traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Mousette Lane and Lake Road in Sauget for $128,534 by Wissehr Electric, Inc. of Belleville, the lowest of three bids.

 “Continued investment in infrastructure will increase accessibility to the Metro East and make our roads safer for our residents,” State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) said. “These are vital projects that will help keep people at work while ensuring that our region remains a great place to live, work and visit.”

“It is very important to improve safety conditions for our roads and bridges, and I applaud this initiative to make critical repairs here in St. Clair County,” State Representative Eddie Lee Jackson Sr. (D-East St. Louis) said. “These projects will also help to create needed jobs in our area and improve the quality of life for local residents.”

 “Our region serves as an important transportation hub for business in Illinois and the Midwest,” State Representative Dan Beiser (D-Alton) said. “These improvements will increase safety for all motorists and create much needed construction jobs in our community. I will continue to work with other legislators to make sure we invest in our infrastructure in the Metro East and throughout Southern Illinois.”

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.