He Praises Governor Quinn, Members of General Assembly for Approving Measure That Will Help Get Economy Moving
Chicago will receive $40 million to fix potholes, repair streets and make other improvements to the infrastructure and $495.9 million for mass transit under a statewide capital program approved by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by Governor Pat Quinn this week, Mayor Richard M. Daley said.
“I want to thank the Governor and the General Assembly for meeting the challenge of passing a statewide construction plan that will create jobs, fix our roads and pump new spending into our economy at the very time that we need it most,” Daley said at a news conference held with Governor Quinn at 5400 W. North Ave., where some of the money will be used to repair North Avenue.
“The Governor has shown strong leadership in moving forward what we hope will be the first part of an even larger capital program, and the legislature is to be congratulated for acting quickly so that work on projects all across Illinois can begin right now as we enter construction season,” Daley said.
The $3 billion state program will be financed with bonds to be retired by state revenues.
“The passage of this state bill to fund roadway projects is great news for all Chicagoans. With the money we receive through this program, we will resurface nearly 100 miles of streets, repair bridges and upgrade traffic signals,” the Mayor said.
And the $40 million in state funds will enable Chicago to draw down almost $150 million in federal dollars that previously lacked matching funds, providing almost $200 million dollars to improve our infrastructure, he said.
The Mayor pointed out that the lack of state support over the past few years has hampered the city’s efforts to fill potholes and repair streets.
“All you have to do is look at drivers swerving around the potholes all over town to see the impact of having had no state funding since 2006 to resurface arterial streets,” he said.
Daley said that with the funding received in support of mass transit, the CTA will move ahead with several important projects, including track replacement on the Red Line and the purchase of additional hybrid buses.
“A modern public transportation system is essential to the future of our state, our region and our city. It is vital to our economic security and to our ability to recruit new businesses and create new jobs. So this support from the state for mass transit is very welcome,” he said.
“At every level of government, we have a responsibility to do our part to get the economy back on track,” Daley said.
“This important legislation will create new jobs so that our residents -- especially those who have lost their jobs -- can get back to work, pay their bills, keep their homes and protect their savings,” he said.
The CTA will use the $495.9 million in state funding for the following projects:
- Purchase of new hybrid buses $172,750,000
- Mid-life overhaul of existing buses $86,775,000
- Bus garage rehabs $27,500,000
- Rehabilitate rail stations $22,500,000
- Red Line substations $48,000,000
- Brown Line substations $25,475,000
- Red Line track replacement $113,000,000
The City of Chicago will match the $40 million in state funding with $150 million in federal funding for the following roadway projects (proposed project list
attached)
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Contact Information
Mayor’s Press Office
312-744-3334
CDOT
312-744-0707
CTA
312-681-3090