State and Local Officials Break Ground on U.S. 67 Improvement Project

$39.6 Million Project will Create 500 Jobs, Improve Safety and Promote Economic Growth

CHAPIN- Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider, along with other state and local officials, today broke ground on a $39.6 million construction project to upgrade a segment of U.S. 67 to a four-lane expressway. The improvement project will create 500 jobs, improve traffic capacity, enhance safety and promote economic growth along the corridor.

“Improving Illinois’ effective roadway system requires essential upgrades and maintenance to accompany today’s traffic demands,” said Secretary Schneider. “This important project, made possible through Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! plan, will create hundreds of jobs, boost traffic capacity and provide better access for local businesses and communities.”

Ultimately, the corridor will be a north to south roadway system that will provide a four-lane expressway from Alton to the Quad Cities. When complete, it will provide a more efficient route between western Illinois destinations and reduce traffic on I-55, I-155, I-72 and I-74 as well as U.S. 61 in Missouri and Iowa.

The 6.5 mile project is located north of Chapin along the existing U.S. 67 and Illinois Route 104 in Morgan County. The particular section of roadway is located 5 miles northwest of Jacksonville. Limits of the improvement project are from 2.2 miles east of IL Route 100 to 0.2 miles east of Concord/Arenzville Road (County Highway 7).

Construction work on the project consists of 6.5 miles of proposed four-lane expressway, an interchange at Concord Road including a structure carrying Concord Road over U.S. 67/IL Route 104, and side road relocations and reconstructions. Furthermore, the nature of the work will include the following: earth excavation, grading, concrete pavement, shoulders, hot mix asphalt on side roads, pipe drains, pavement removal, pipe culverts, precast reinforced concrete box culverts, pavement marking, signage, lighting, traffic control, seeding, and additional miscellaneous elements.

The $39.6 million capital improvement project is an Illinois Jobs Now! funded project that uses both federal and state funds. R.A. Cullinan and Sons, Inc. is the low-bid contractor from the June 2011 letting. The anticipated completion of the project is in Fall 2013.

The area is home to numerous major employers such as the Passavant Hospital, Pactiv Corporation (Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd.), Nestle Beverage Co., and Eli Bridge Company- a manufacturer of Ferris wheels and additional amusement rides.