When Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation funding the second phase of Illinois Jobs Now!, I was happy to join him to mark this milestone in state transportation programs.
Illinois Jobs Now! is a bold step forward for a state that understands the safety benefits and economic value of improving transportation infrastructure. And, as the title of the program indicates, Illinois knows that laying the foundation for tomorrow's economy means putting men and women back to work today.
With Governor Quinn; photo courtesy Rich Hein, Sun-Times
From rail to roads to transit, the bill Governor Quinn signed on Tuesday authorizes Illinois to invest $1.6 billion in good projects that create more than 18,000 jobs improving safety and speeding up the flow of goods and people across the Prairie State.
One project that will achieve both of those essential goals is CREATE, a first-of-its-kind partnership among the U.S. Department of Transportation, Illinois, Chicago, Metra commuter rail, Amtrak, and our nation’s freight railroads.
CREATE identified 78 critically needed rail and road improvements in Northeast Illinois. Work in this area will alleviate choke points and delays where freight and passenger rail lines intersect. It will also expand rail capacity in the region.
One of 78 CREATE projects
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