Pritzker announces new $50 billion infrastructure program, largest in state history

CHICAGO (WCIA) — After setting a record in infrastructure investments with the Rebuild Illinois capital program, the State of Illinois is set to surpass that mark with a new infrastructure program.

Governor Pritzker and IDOT announced on Wednesday that the state will spend $50.6 billion over the next six years. Like Rebuild Illinois, the new program will be spread across all modes of transportation and all 102 Illinois counties, but that plan only cost $41.1 billion.

“Today, I’m proud to launch the latest roadmap – the largest in the history of the Illinois Department of Transportation,” Pritzker said in a news release. “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.”

The new infrastructure project will invest $32.5 billion into state and local roads and bridges and $18.1 billion into other modes of transportation. The latter breaks down into $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.

More than 7,100 miles of roads and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck will either be built or improved as part of this plan. There is also $400 million to support 223 local projects, ranging from street and transit upgrades to bike and pedestrian improvements.

“Under Gov. Pritzker, our investments in transportation are doing more than ever to connect people to the meaningful destinations in their lives,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said. ​“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.”

The new infrastructure program begins this fiscal year, starting with $5.5 billion in spending.