The announcement highlighted targeted funding for 223 local projects as part of Rebuild Illinois, a $50.6bn initiative spread across six years – and the largest construction program in the state’s history.

“Our Rebuild Illinois program is getting shovels in the ground and putting Illinoisans to work on projects that are vital to community interest and helping grow the entire state,” said Governor Pritzker.

“Starting with improvements to major streets and corridors in Fairview Heights, Granite City, Cahokia Heights, and Belleville, these projects are improving congestion and safety in the Metro East area – making people’s lives easier, enhancing productivity, and generating more economic activity, all while creating good, quality jobs.”

The program also includes special funding to help address local transportation needs, particularly in disadvantaged or economically distressed communities. Of the 223 total awards, 177 are for road projects, 34 for bike and pedestrian improvements, 10 for transit, and two for ports.

“For a community to thrive, it needs to have the infrastructure to support itself,” said representative Katie Stuart of Edwardsville. “These new investments are going to support jobs, encourage development, and further improve vital travel corridors that residents depend on every day.”

Among the local projects supported through the $400m pipeline are several key initiatives, such as $9.6m for road construction in Cahokia Heights and $5.8m for road improvements in East St. Louis.

Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) $50.6bn initiative spans multimodal investments across roads, bridges, aviation, rail, waterways, and pedestrian infrastructure, surpassing last year’s record-setting $41.4bn program.

Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois remains the largest capital program in state history and the first to include every mode of transportation. To date, IDOT has completed $20.8bn in improvements statewide, covering more than 21,000 lane miles of highway, 815 bridges, and over 1,100 safety projects.

“[These] investments in Fairmont City [are] a game changer for our community,” said Mayor Michael Suarez. “These improvements will make our roads safer, support local businesses, and create opportunities for families who live and work here.”