CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation has given a thumbs-up to proposals to make driving a bit easier in the city and a southwestern suburb.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday it is proposing to award Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grants totaling $24.1 million in Illinois that will be used to improve safety, address climate change, create walkable communities, and promote use of alternative forms of transportation.
“These timely investments in our infrastructure will create jobs and support regional economies, while helping to spur innovation, confront climate change, and address inequities across the country,” said Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
There are two grants proposed for award in Illinois.
Archer Avenue and Belt Railway of Chicago Grade Separation Projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to award a $19 million grant to rebuild Archer Avenue around 52nd Street in the city, so it goes 15-feet under a new rail bridge to serve the existing Belt Railway of Chicago tracks. There would also be pedestrian and bicycle sidewalks under the rail bridge with lighting.
Illinois Route 126 Re-Route – 143rd Street East Extension
In Plainfield, U.S. Department of Transportation would put up $5 million to extend 143rd east from Route 59 so it connects to Route 126, north of Plainfield’s Central Business District, to provide better east-west movement of vehicles traveling through and within the village.
Right now, there’s no easy way for people who want to go from Route 59 to 126 or visa versa.
The project will consist of roadway, a bridge over the DuPage River, sidewalks, a center median, street lighting, an enclosed drainage system, and redesigned intersections.
The proposals will become a reality after a 60-day congressional review process.
The USDOT said there were nearly $7 billion in requests for grant money, more than seven times the amount available.
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