September 10, 2020

Duckworth, Durbin, Pritzker Announce $20 Million Federal Grant For Joliet Transportation Project

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Governor JB Pritzker today announced that the City of Joliet has been awarded $20 million in federal funding to support the I-55 at IL 59 Access Project. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) BUILD grant program.

“This significant infusion of federal funding to the City of Joliet will help move our state’s economy in the right direction, improve our regional transportation infrastructure and create jobs for hardworking Illinoisans,” Duckworth said. “This project will increase safety, expand capacity and improve connectivity where it is critically needed. I’m proud to announce this investment in Illinois and I’ll keep working with Senator Durbin to improve infrastructure in every corner of our state.”

“This federal funding will help improve safety and ease congestion, while supporting local jobs and economic growth around Will County,” Durbin said. “Senator Duckworth and I are proud to support this improvement project, and will continue advocating for strong investments in Illinois’ transportation infrastructure.”

“Our highways connect our residents and our communities and I want to thank Senator Durbin and Senator Duckworth for their ongoing advocacy and work to bring federal dollars back home to Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This project will create and support jobs while improving the quality of life for many of our residents. This federal investment on top of our historic capital program, Rebuild Illinois, will ensure the state remains the transportation and commerce hub of the Midwest."

The I-55 at IL 59 Access Project is a suite of complementary investments to increase safety, road capacity, and connectivity around the Interstate 55 and Illinois 59 corridors in Will County. It is estimated that the project could support 8,000 construction jobs and create 5,000 permanent jobs.

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