IDOT Hosts Governor JB Pritzker Press Conference – Update on Houbolt Road Extension-I80 Project
Doug Pryor, Vice President of Economic Development with the Will County Center for Economic Development was among the speakers following Governor Pritzker’s update on these critical infrastructure projects. Doug thanked the Governor for his commitment to Will County and his ongoing emphasis on the importance of investing in infrastructure both here in Will County and around the state as we work to grow our local businesses and market Illinois to companies around the nation and the world.
Doug reinforced that reinvestment in the Will County infrastructure will allow us to continue to compete globally, recruiting companies like Lion Electric, which is well underway constructing North America’s largest all-electric school bus and medium duty truck manufacturing facility.
Doug continued:
“Projects like Lion build on the long-standing manufacturing heritage of this region and provide an important foundation for future manufacturing competitiveness for Will County and for Illinois. Investment and support from the State and from the Governor’s office in our infrastructure allows us to keep growing jobs and investment while delivering workers and goods safely.”
RELATED NEWS:
Gov. Pritzer Advances Vision to Rebuild I-80, Announces Next Phase of Houbolt Road Project in Joliet.
Project News
$1.01 Billion Earmarked For Joliet I-80 Reconstruction But Deal Not Done Yet
The city of Joliet and Mayor Bob O’Dekirk have announced the inclusion of $1.01 billion in I-80 reconstruction funds in the proposed $41.5 billion capital improvement plan proposed by Governor J.B. Pritzker. But there is nothing official from Springfield. Lawmakers still have until May 31st to approve the budget.
$1 billion proposed for I-80
The push to improve Interstate 80 got a boost Friday when Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed a state capital plan that includes $1 billion for Interstate 80.
Pritzker unveils $41.5 billion capital plan
A proposal shown to lawmakers includes major new spending on roads, transit, schools and more, but would require a doubling of the gas tax and new levies on items like vehicle registration, liquor, cable TV and ride-hailing.
State resolution aimed at converting I-80 into tollway
State Rep. Larry Walsh Jr., D-Elwood, has introduced legislation aimed at converting the local stretch of Interstate 80 into a tollway.
I-80 Coalition to push for highway funding
A coalition created to push for improvements to Interstate 80 will point to $623 billion of freight coming through Will County a year, making a case the local corridor has national importance.
New grass-roots I-80 Coalition seeks to speed up road improvements
A new grass-roots effort, known as the I-80 Coalition, has been launched by the Will County Center for Economic Development to hasten needed improvements to I-80.
New coalition wants to speed up I-80 work
A new I-80 Coalition is being formed to speed up long-term plans to improve the interstate.
Tollway willing to step in to fund I-80 upgrades, chairman tells Joliet City Council
The chairman of the state tollway board laid out a case to the Joliet City Council on Monday for turning the local stretch of Interstate 80 into a toll road.