Illinois To Receive $1.4B In Federal Funds To Repair Bridges

ILLINOIS — With more than 2,300 bridges across Illinois in need of repair, the state is set to receive $1.4 billion over the next five years to make necessary repairs to bridges, Illinois’ Democratic congressional delegation announced on Friday.

The funding includes $274.8 million which will be delivered to the state in fiscal year 2022 as is part of the bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which was recently passed. On average, Illinois taxpayers pay $609 per year in costs associated with driving on roads and bridges in need of repair, according to a news release.

Nationwide, the Federal Highway Administration announced on Friday 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, officials said.

In Illinois, there are more than 2,374 bridges in poor condition, the release said. Since 2011, commute times have increased by more than seven percent in Illinois. The bridge funding announced on Friday will go to the Illinois Department of Transportation. which will determine how to invest it across the state, politicians said.

“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,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth said in the release. “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.”

Duckworth’s Washington colleagues agreed.

“In the 1st District alone, there are more than 300 bridges that are structurally deficient and in urgent need of repair,” Congressman Bobby L. Rush said. “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.

Politicians said in the release that the condition of bridges across Illinois and in Chicago and Cook County are putting lives in danger.

“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,” Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (D, IL-04), said in the release. “Bridges tie cities like mine together for commuters, pedestrians, and the delivery vans and emergency vehicles that keep our neighborhoods going. "