River Bridge included in federal highway bill

March 3, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson (R, Illinois-15, Champaign ) is optimistic federal funding will be included for major projects in his downstate Illinois district with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's passage of a six-year, $284 billion federal highway and mass transit bill.

Rep. Johnson, a member of the transportation committee, and his colleagues passed the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act (TEA-LU) on Wednesday, and it now moves to the full House for consideration.

"This important step in the legislative process emphasizes that job creation, renewed economic development, new and improved infrastructure, safety upgrades throughout Illinois' extensive highway systems, and an enhanced quality of life in numerous communities are my top priorities and they will be achieved with the long-overdue passage of this bill," said Johnson.

A major project included in the measure is replacement of the Wabash River Bridge at Mt. Carmel . Johnson emphasized that the existing bridge that crosses the Wabash River to Indiana is too small and crumbling.

He said the planned new structure will boost area commerce and spur economic development in Southeastern Illinois .

The bridge project will include complete removal and replacement of the existing Wabash River Bridge - a project expected to cost $28 million, according to 2003 calculations.

In July 2003, the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission formally approved the bridge plans as developed by the Illinois Department of Transportation. That year, IDOT District Engineer Stanley E. Grabski said the bridge work - then proposed for fiscal year 2005 - would required $22,272,000 in federal funding and $5,568,000 in state funds.

Of the transportation measure passed by the congressional committee this week, Johnson commented: "This is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress has been considering for nearly three years, and Illinois is one step closer to obtaining federal assistance for many transportation and infrastructure projects."

The 15th District Representative continued, "For many years, Illinois , and specifically downstate Illinois , has not received its fair share of federal infrastructure dollars. Our work on the Committee with Chairman Don Young, and the excellent help of Speaker Dennis Hastert, will bring desperately needed dollars in this crucial time of national economic recovery to our transportation dependent state."

Some of the other major projects in the bill on which Rep. Johnson has closely worked, include:

* Normal Multimodal Facility - Will provide a hub for bus, train and airport facilities in Downtown Normal to better serve McLean County, Illinois State University, and all of Central Illinois. (This is a priority for both Johnson and Rep. Jerry Weller)

* I-55 Interchange Project - This will provide long-overdue maintenance to the interchanges for McLean County communities of Lexington and Towanda.

* Curtis Road, Champaign - The ultimate development of Curtis Road will provide new access to I-57 for Champaign/Urbana, Mahomet and Savoy .

* Winter Avenue Upgrades, Danville - This will widen Winter Avenue and construct a bridge to create a safer access point to the City's popular northside attraction, Winter Park .

* Mattoon Depot - The heavily used historic train depot in the heart of Mattoon badly needs renovation.

Several other projects in Johnson's 15th District are likely included in the massive highway and transit bill. Congressman Johnson is working to obtain the most possible funding for all of his priority projects.

The full House of Representatives is scheduled to consider TEA-LU before Easter; the measure would then go before a joint-committee of House and Senate Members for final consideration before President Bush can sign it.