Governor Quinn Announces $25.5 Million for Wabash Avenue Widening Project in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of more than $25.5 million for a major road widening and improvement project on Wabash Avenue in Springfield. The project will improve traffic flow and safety on Wabash and surrounding streets. Funded by his Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the project is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Soon motorists on Springfield's west side will be able to get to their destinations more conveniently and safely," Governor Quinn said. "This widening project will accommodate the rapid growth in that part of town, and the construction jobs created by the project will be an added benefit."

"This is a long awaited and anticipated improvement that will undoubtedly improve safety and commute times," Springfield Mayor Mike Houston said. "It will spur economic development along the corridor by providing an inviting atmosphere for current businesses to expand and new businesses to locate."

Wabash Avenue will be widened and resurfaced from Koke Mill Road in Springfield to Moffet Street in nearby Curran, a distance of 2.9 miles. The work will include storm sewers, retaining walls and traffic signals. R.A. Cullinan & Son, a division of United Contractors Midwest, Inc. of Tremont was the lower of two bidders for the job with a quote of $25,588,888. Construction will begin this summer and will be managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"This is an important project that will help the continued growth along Wabash Avenue. This state investment will help bring in new businesses and grow jobs for Central Illinois," State Senator Sam McCann (R-Carlinville) said.

"As the Wabash corridor on Springfield's far west side continues to grow, it is important that its roads safely handle the increasing volume of traffic," State Representative Raymond Poe (R-Springfield) said. "Widening the nearly three-mile stretch from Koke Mill to Curran will help ensure this area's safety and prosperity for decades to come."

The Wabash Avenue project is 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.