“This continued and long-term commitment to bettering Illinois’ interstates, bridges and roads is inspiring and something I am glad to see” – Sen. Emil Jones III

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Emil Jones III (D–Chicago) reacted to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s unveiling on Wednesday of their $12.62 billion dollar roads project. Nearly $18 million of these funds will be invested in efforts toward renovating roads and bridges throughout South Chicagoland in areas encompassed by the 14th Senate District.

“This continued and long-term commitment to bettering Illinois’ interstates, bridges and roads is inspiring and something I am glad to see,” Jones said. “Sitting on the Senate Transportation committee and having a track record of consistently advocating public safety and community improvement, I am enthusiastic about these projects that will increase the safety our streets and be in the best interest of the citizens living in my district.”

The construction work on these projects is set to start in 2014 with the vast majority of the major efforts being staggered across a six-year span ending with Fiscal Year 19.

The regional projects in the 14th Senate District per IDOT’s announcement include:

· $500,000 toward removal and demolition of the abandoned 135th Bridge at 135th St. and Ashland Ave.

· $ 700,000 toward land acquisition and turn lanes at 143rd Street and Harlem Ave.

· $1,000,000 toward intersection reconstruction and land acquisition at 151st St. and Harlem Ave.

· $2,500,000 toward traffic signal updating and modernization, right turn lane construction and intersection improvement at the Midlothian turnpike at 135th St. and Cal-Sag Rd.

· $13,021, 000 toward land acquisition, bridge replacement and construction engineering efforts along the Cal-Sag Channel at Western Ave.

· $8,815,000 toward various road resurfacing projects along the Harlem Ave. to I-294 ramp to ILL 83, Cal-Sag Rd. to 143rd Pl., Vincennes Ave. to Racine Ave., Justamere Rd. to ILL 50, Lafayette Ave. to Hasted St. and US 45 (96th Ave.) to ILL 43 (Harlem Ave.).

Learn more about the details of IDOT’s roads project by visiting http://www.Dot.Il.Gov/HighwayImprovement.