The Illinois Department of Transportation has awarded $883,000 to McLean County to upgrade stretches of two roads to handle local truck traffic.
The grant money is the first installment on more than $7 million in improvements to County Highway 24 near the Tazewell County line and Meadows Road west of Chenoa in northern McLean County. In all, 19 lane miles will be improved to become designated truck routes.
The County Highway 24 project will receive $366,300 and the Meadows Rd effort will get $517,000.
“Illinois is the country’s transportation hub, with freight activity a cornerstone of the state’s economy,” said acting Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “At IDOT, we want our local partners to have the necessary tools to manage traffic safely and spur even more job creation and economic growth.”
The grants are made possible through IDOT’s Truck Access Route Program that allows counties, municipalities, and townships to apply for assistance to upgrade roads to accommodate 80,000-pound trucks and become designated truck routes. A maximum of $900,000 can be awarded to projects that improve connections to other designated truck routes and businesses that generate truck traffic.
There's no subscription fee to listen or read our stories. Everyone can access this essential public service thanks to community support. Donate now, and help fund your public media.
