Robin Kelly and Illinois Democrats Announce Historic $1.4 Billion for Illinois Bridges from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Robin Kelly and Illinois Democrats Announce Historic $1.4 Billion for Illinois Bridges from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
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Illinois Democrats Announce Historic $1.4 Billion for Illinois Bridges from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Washington D.C.) – This morning, the Illinois Democratic Congressional delegation announced that, thanks to the recently-passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Illinois will receive a historic $1.4 billion over five years to repair bridges in poor condition, including $274.8 million in Fiscal Year 2022. Nationwide, the Federal Highway Administration announced today an investment of more than $27 billion to fix an estimated 15,000 bridges nationwide. This is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system — and every member of Illinois’s Democratic Congressional delegation voted for it.

In Illinois, there are more than 2,374 bridges in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by more than seven percent in Illinois, and on average, every Illinois driver pays $609 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. The bridge funding announced today will go to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), which will determine how to invest it across the state.

Bipartisanship

“The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make an undeniable difference in our state’s roads, highways, and bridges to improve safety and accessibility. This historic reinvestment has been sorely needed for decades. With $1.4 billion set aside for Illinois, this is poised to be a new era in infrastructure that will move our economy forward and create jobs,” said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “I’m proud to have supported this historic, much-needed legislation.”

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is putting our nation on a path to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, fix our roads and bridges and take critical steps towards tackling the climate crisis while also helping working Americans across the country save time and find good-paying jobs,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). “I’m proud that Illinoisans are already beginning to see the benefits of this deal the Illinois Democratic delegation and I helped negotiate, which will help working families all across our state have better, safer and less congested roads and bridges.”

Congressman Bobby Rush

“In the 1st District alone, there are more than 300 bridges that are structurally deficient and in urgent need of repair,” said Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D, IL-01). “Infrastructure supports our daily lives, and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act will allow our state to make enormous headway in fixing deficient infrastructure and improving transit and connectivity for all residents. I’m proud to join my fellow Democrats in the Illinois Congressional delegation in announcing this historic investment and I look forward to working with the Biden Administration to make sure the benefits from this important new law continue to flow to the 1st District.”

Congresswoman Robin Kelly

“Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, $1.4 billion is coming to our communities in Illinois’ Second Congressional District and beyond to bring transformative change to our bridges and our residents,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D, IL-02). “With this investment we will be able to create jobs, reduce commute times and most importantly, ensure that our bridges serve as safe and helpful connections throughout our great state. I look forward to sharing more good news about investments coming to my community soon. Help is here.”

Congresswoman Marie Newman

“Thanks to the passage of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Illinois residents are seeing a once-in-a-lifetime investment to repair, rebuild and strengthen thousands of bridges across our state,” said Congresswoman Marie Newman (D, IL-03). “As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I was honored to have worked to get this legislation over the finish line and now, I am ecstatic to see this federal funding become a reality for Chicago’s Southwest Side and suburbs. I look forward to continuing to work with our local leaders and transportation agencies as we not only provide crucial upgrades to our aging infrastructure but also create thousands of new good-paying union jobs across our state.”

Congressman Jesus “Chuy’ Garcia

“Bridges connect us, but poorly maintained and hazardous bridges divide and endanger our communities — and unfortunately we have plenty of those in Chicago and across Cook County,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (D, IL-04). “Bridges tie cities like mine together for commuters, pedestrians, and the delivery vans and emergency vehicles that keep our neighborhoods going. That’s why I was proud to vote for the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, which will bring urgently needed investments to Illinois to replace or repair bridges in our communities like the Cicero Avenue Bridge that connects neighborhoods across the Chicago River.”

Congressman Mike Quigley

“For years, our country was promised infrastructure improvements that simply never materialized. Thanks to President Biden and Congressional Democrats, Illinois will finally receive long overdue funding to invest in our crumbling roads and bridges,” said Congressman Mike Quigley (D, IL-05). “Anyone in Chicago who has ever driven across the Webster Street Bridge knows how badly our city needs this funding. The $1.4 billion our state is receiving from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will mean we can make improvements to the Webster Street Bridge and bridges all across the state. This is no longer theoretical. I am thrilled to have supported funding that will have a real impact on Chicagoans everyday lives.”

Congressman Sean Casten

“Illinois has consistently received a C- grade on its infrastructure report card. Having bridges in such poor condition means longer commute times, more wear and tear on your vehicle, and slower package deliveries,” said Congressman Sean Casten (D, IL-06). “I’m incredibly proud to have helped secure this funding that will not only fix our infrastructure, but create jobs at the same time.”

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Congressman Raja Krishnamooorthi

“Today, we’re showing the American people that their government is working to improve their daily lives through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D, IL-08). “In my district, nearly twelve percent of our bridges are classified as structurally deficient, meaning at least one of their key elements is in poor condition or worse. With the funding the White House is announcing today from the bipartisan infrastructure law, we will begin to repair those bridges, keeping our communities and economy running smoothly and safely.”

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky

“I’m proud to join with my Illinois Delegation colleagues today in celebrating this announcement of funds available to the State of Illinois to repair our old and failing bridges,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D, IL-09). “This investment, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is the largest of its kind in American history. Throughout all parts of my district, there are bridges that people rely on every day that are long overdue for some TLC, and these funds will help provide just that.”

Congressman Brad Schneider

“The interstate system transformed our country. We need to make this investment to repair, rebuild, and reimagine the bridges that America has come to depend on,” said Congressman Brad Schneider (D, IL-10). “It will grow our economy, create quality jobs, and improve our standard of living. The fact that this infrastructure bill is bipartisan shows that it is possible to reach across the aisle, bridge the gap, and find common ground.”

Congressman Bill Foster

“The people of Illinois have waited a long time for a President and Congress to deliver the infrastructure investments they’ve been promised for decades. Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Senators Durbin and Duckworth, and our state’s entire Democratic congressional delegation, that wait is over,” said Congressman Bill Foster (D, IL-11). “Much needed funding to repair bridges is on its way to Illinois and will benefit communities across the state, including the I-80 bridge in Joliet and the historic bridges up and down the Fox River. This is the single largest investment ever in our nation’s bridges, and it will enhance the safety and efficiency of the bridges Illinois communities rely on every day.”

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood

“Roads and bridges keep our communities connected and thriving — it’s an investment in economic growth, lower costs, and increased quality of life for our communities,” said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D, IL-14). “I am proud to see the first of these historic infrastructure investments to rebuild our aging bridges and strengthen our connectivity throughout Illinois!”

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

“Late last year, President Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure law to create millions of new, good-paying jobs across the country, all while rebuilding our communities. This year, we’re getting shovels in the ground as funds come home to our cities, towns and villages,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D, IL-17). “I’m thrilled to join my Illinois colleagues today to announce that our state will receive a historic $1.4 billion over the next five years to repair bridges and improve driving conditions. With 2,374 of our bridges in poor condition, these funds will make a huge difference for folks across the state.”

A fact sheet on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will benefit Illinois is available HERE.

Video of Illinois Congressional Democrats announcing the funding

An interactive map of state-by-state bridge funding is available HERE.

Bridge condition data from the National Bridge Inventory is available HERE.

Illinois Democrats Announce Historic $1.4 Billion for Illinois Bridges from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

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