Newman secures inclusion of $17.8 million for six district transportation projects
Projects funded by the INVEST in America Act include the electrification of CTA buses, pedestrian safety improvements and expansion of roads and highways to reduce congestion
U.S. Representative Marie Newman (IL-03), a member on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, announced Wednesday (June 9, 2021) that her office has secured inclusion of six transportation projects, totaling more than $17.8 million in federal funding support. The funds are a part of the INVEST in America Act, this year’s House surface transportation reauthorization bill.
The six projects included today focus not only on modernizing transportation, but also putting people back to work with good-paying jobs. From the electrification of buses to pedestrian safety improvements to building more efficient highway interchanges, these six projects will benefit all residents in every corner of Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District.
“For far too long, our nation has put modernizing our infrastructure and transportation systems on the back burner, resulting in incomplete infrastructure projects, broken roads, eliminated bus routes, and transportation deserts in far too many communities across the country. These six transportation projects encapsulate the type of transportation and infrastructure investments we need across our entire nation,” said Congresswoman Newman.
“From creating greener transportation by electrifying our bus system to investing in new infrastructure that will keep residents safer, these projects represent the priorities of residents across this district. We will continue to build on these investments as part of the American Jobs Plan so that we can not only create millions of good-paying union jobs but also ensure our transportation becomes more accessible, affordable and equitable for all Americans.”
Additional information on the Member-Designated Transportation Projects and the six projects selected by Congresswoman Newman, as well copies of the required financial disclosures, is available HERE. A summary of the six projects is also provided below:
Midway Bus Terminal Electrification Concept
Sponsored by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), this project would fund a concept design and engineering efforts for the future electrification of the Midway Bus Terminal located at Chicago’s Midway International Airport. The $550,000 project builds on CTA’s goal of full fleet electrification by 2040.
“The CTA is making significant strides toward electrifying our entire bus fleet, and we’re grateful for Representative Newman’s support of necessary upgrades to CTA facilities to support our transition to an all-electric bus fleet,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr.
Construction of the I-294 103rd Street Interchange
Sponsored by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, this funding is designated for the construction of a new I-294 interchange at 103rd Street, which would provide more direct access to job opportunities along I-294 for residents and significantly relieve traffic for the adjacent, highly congested 95th Street interchange. Additionally, the $5 million project would spur additional economic development for the surrounding industrial areas by providing a more direct access to the National Freight Network.
“My administration has prioritized increased access to opportunities by improving transportation infrastructure across Cook County,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “This new interchange will make traveling to and through southwest Cook safer and more efficient for residents and businesses.”
IL 171 (State Street) Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Sponsored by the City of Lockport, this $1.4 million project is designed to address multiple pedestrian safety concerns at the intersection of IL 171 (State Street) and 10th Street in Lockport, IL. After a difficult year of closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the improvement is expected to help revitalize Lockport’s downtown area by improving pedestrian safety in the area.
Highway Expansion and Road Improvement for 143rd Street (West Avenue to Southwest Highway)
Sponsored by the Village of Orland Park, this $9 million project would expand 143rd Street from two and three lanes to five lanes with improved traffic signals, a multi-use path and sidewalk as well as new drainage systems. The project is designed to address pedestrian and vehicular safety deficiencies as well as past flooding issues and road closures. The expansion of the highway would not only improve emergency response times during flooding but also relieve traffic congestion and improve transportation connections for tens of thousands of residents.
Weber Road Reconstruction – Airport Road to 135th Street
Sponsored by Will County, this $1.1 million project would improve local traffic congestion by reconstructing two miles of roadway with a six-lane divided highway of Weber Road. The additional capacity created by this project would accommodate projected traffic volumes, including improving access for trucks that are generated by the industrial development on Taylor Road. Traffic in the project area is expected to increase almost 62% by 2050, up to 53,000 average daily traffic (ADT), including 5,300 trucks. This project’s submission was coordinated with Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11), as the project spans both districts.
“As the logistics and shipping hub of the Midwest, Will County has many infrastructure needs that are vital to the continued economic expansion of the surrounding area,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “We appreciate Rep. Newman’s attention to this project as it provides much needed safety improvements to a stretch of Weber Road while creating good-paying jobs.”
Oak Park Avenue Improvements – 111th Street to 107th Street
Sponsored by the Village of Worth, this project would dedicate a total of $520,000 to not only improve ADA sidewalk compliance in an effort to address safety concerns but also would reduce congestion by providing a local alternative to traveling on nearby congested arterial roadways.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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