Illinois to spend record $50B to improve state roads and bridges over next 6 years

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois will see $50.6 billion worth of improvements to its roads, bridges, aviation, passenger rail, water, and pedestrian infrastructure over the next six years.

The funding, coming from the Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program, will spread the funding across all modes of transportation, including $400 million to support local projects such as street and transit upgrades and bike and pedestrian improvements.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office said the projects are based on priorities submitted by local municipalities. Those projects require a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal to “uplift small, local minority and women-owned firms” in order to be considered.

“Over the next six years, we’ll continue investing across the board in order to build the best infrastructure system in the nation – and create good jobs for Illinoisans in the process. From Chicago and Rockford to Springfield and Decatur, to Carbondale and Metropolis, every corner of our great state will benefit,” Pritzker said Wednesday.

The Fiscal Year 2026-31 Proposed Highway and Multimodal Improvement Program will invest $32.5 billion in state and local roads and bridges, with $5.5 billion being made available this year. That includes $13.8 billion for transit, $2.9 billion for freight and passenger rail, $1.2 billion for aviation, and $200 million for ports and waterways.

The state said the program will build or improve 7,107 miles of roads and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck on the state system, with $6.8 billion to improve 1,654 miles of road and 1.3 million square feet of bridging overseen by local governments.

​ “This new multi-year construction program will not only create jobs and economic opportunity, but it will also improve quality of life in Illinois – making it easier to walk and bike, catch a bus, deliver goods, and get you safely from where you are to where you need to be,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. 

The funding eclipses the $41.4 billion in infrastructure funding that was approved in 2024.