The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is re-focusing on the Eastern Bypass. That project would connect Interstate 74 with Illinois Route 6 in the north-east-region of Peoria. Eric Miller is the Acting Executive Director for the Commission. He says one main reason is a new federal transportation agreement:
“There seems to be some movement, now that we have a new transportation bill to starts some activity up with that group. So they’re going to be meeting on a more regular basis, we hopefully the state will pass their budget, and we can begin talking about an Eastern Bypass.”
Miller says the transportation bill provides a steady funding stream, but not enough new revenue to complete all of the group’s slated projects.