The two U.S. House members representing Bloomington-Normal are seeking over $15 million in federal funding for various projects in the Twin Cities in the coming year.
Republican Darin LaHood of Dunlap and Democrat Eric Sorensen from Moline have announced the requests they have submitted to get Community Project Funding, the congressional replacement for earmarks.
Sorensen has asked for $4.5 million to build an air cargo road at Central Illinois Regional Airport, along with two projects for the Town of Normal: $3 million for street upgrades in Normal and $2 million for stormwater improvements in Uptown.
“Updating stormwater drainage in the town’s central business district will protect Uptown Normal from the increasing frequency of heavy rains and other extreme weather events,” Mayor Chris Koos said in a news release.
Sorensen also requested $2 million for the Locust-Colton sewer separation project in Bloomington.
“Improving the overall performance and efficiency of the system is a priority for us and this major investment in Bloomington’s infrastructure will ensure the system is safe and reliable for years to come,” Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe said.
LaHood has requested $2 million for the Hamilton Road extension in Bloomington from Bunn Street to Morrissey Drive and $1.26 million for wastewater treatment improvements through the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District (BNWRD).
The funding would help BNWRD to connect a neighborhood south of Bloomington to its wastewater treatment system, according to executive director Tim Ervin. He said the Clearview Sanitary District, which takes waterwater from about 40 homes and three businesses near the U.S. Route 51 and Interstate 74 interchange, has aging infrastructure that needs to be replaced. The wastewater there is treated in two lagoons nearby.
"This project will increase infrastructure resiliency and ensure compliance with current and future regulations," Ervin said, adding BNWRD is also proceeding with the project with hopes that federal money will cover the costs. He said the district could seek loans through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency if needed.
Several of these projects were included in the pitch the One Voice delegation deliveredin its visit to Washington, D.C., last month.
