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Macomb, IL – There probably won't be any ground breaking ceremonies for the proposed four-lane expansion of Route 67 anytime soon. But local and regional leaders were assured that the money is there -- and more could be on the way.
Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig addressed a few dozen people at Corridor 67's quarterly meeting at Spoon River College's outreach center in Macomb.
Hannig explained there's roughly $150 million in state money available for the Macomb to Alton expansion alone, all of which is funded through the state's capital construction plan, or "capital bill."
"The sources of funding are the increases in license plate fees, drivers license fees, along with an increase in the tax on liquor and soda pop, along with video gaming fees which has not been implemented yet," says Hannig. "Those have begun to collect money. Not only do they collect the money, but we collect them into a dedicated fund that's only available for use on capital bill projects."
The money to be used in IDOT's District 4, which encompasses Macomb, will be largely devoted to construction of a four lane by-pass that will connect Route 67 to Routes 136 and 336.
Hannig says the Route 67 projects is on IDOT's list of "Top Ten" projects to complete across the state.
Legislators in attendance included State Reps. Jil Tracy (R-Mt. Sterling) and Rich Myers (R-Colchester). Tracy says her district will greatly benefit from the expansion -- but she understands there are concerns.
"You have to acquire so much land for a 40 foot road, or an 80 foot road," says Tracy. "That is definitely always a factor. It's just not easy when it's your farm."
Tracy says expanded highway systems are important to farmers, however, because they allow for faster transportation of goods and services.
There's no set timetable on when the route 67 expansion will be completed. But money from the capital bill is available through 2016.