The last $250 million chunk of Rebuild Illinois infrastructure project funding includes a major update to a busy Peoria road.
At a news conference on Thursday, Illinois Department of Transportation, Secretary Omer Osman announced the final installment of funding coming to Peoria, $7.58 million, will be used for a reconstruction of Glen Avenue from U.S. 150 to University Street.
“I’m extremely familiar with the school here, extremely familiar with Glen, I walk a lot,” said Osman. “All you have to do is take a look at how that road looks today. It’s in terrible shape, this has been years in the making.”
The project will include new pavement, new curbs and gutters, storm sewer improvements, ADA compliant ramps and other general updates. The City of Peoria awarded the contract to R.A. Cullinan & Son, Tremont. The total cost of the project is estimated at $10.7 million.
“Glen Avenue is one of the most traveled arteries within the city, you can hear the noise behind me,” said Peoria Mayor Rita Ali. “There’s people going back and forth all times of day and night. And it’s been in a need for repair reconstruction for a long time. And we’re talking about a major reconstruction to this major artery, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Officials said the project is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2024.
According to IDOT, Rebuild Illinois is the state’s first capital construction program in more than a decade, totaling $1.5 billion in projects. The bipartisan bill has helped fund nearly 3,800 infrastructure projects across the state. You can find a full list of those projects and the fundinghere.
