CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law Monday.
Once signed, it will start the process of funneling billions of dollars into transportation projects across the country. The bill calls for $1.5 trillion to be allocated or spent within five years.
The head of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning said the bill comes close to answering the question "what would you do if you have all the money in the world?"
"This one is larger than expected and has so many programs that will help solve congestion and bring about sustainability into our transportation system," CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman told WBBM Newsradio.
Illinois will get $17 billion to fund road, bridge and railroad projects. It will also help pay for a network of charging stations for electric vehicles.
"It has significant funding for transit across our region. On the highway side, there's about a 32% increase in funding for roads and bridges," Aleman said.
Engineers said some bridges across the state have significant structural issues that need to be addressed.
She said the infrastructure bill will reduce congestion, and help with the flow of goods through the Chicago area.
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