Will County Set To Receive Funds From Capital Bill

WILL COUNTY, IL — Will County is in line to get funding for several major projects after the recent signing of Illinois' Capital Bill. According to the county board, those projects include I-80 bridge replacements and widening and improvements to I-55.

“We’re glad to have a capital bill from Springfield that addresses some of our most pressing regional needs,” Will County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey said in a release. “Funding for I-80 improvements to repair bridges and widen the interstate through Joliet is critical to our region as the largest inland port in the nation.”

According to the county board, the state is prepared to invest $1.2 billion on I-80. Multiple bridges are in need of replacement including the highly trafficked bridge over the Des Plaines River.

I-55 improvements include $23.5 million to resurface the highway from I-80 south to Weber Road as well as $4.7 million for resurfacing and bridge repairs between U.S. Route 30 and Illinois 126 in Joliet and Plainfield.

“With the new state infrastructure bill passing, we are happy to see some of the money used for projects in Will County,” Will County Board Member Ray Tuminello from New Lenox said in a release. “Will County is one of the fastest growing counties in the region and we’re glad to see the state invest in our local infrastructure.”

The county board said other road improvements include $75.7 million for widening and reconstruction of US Route 52 from River Road to Houbolt Road in Joliet and Shorewood. Route 53 will also see $50 million of investment between Arsenal Road and US 52 including pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

There is also $400,000 granted for traffic light improvements at Weber Road and South Carillon Drive.

“Will County is a booming metro area,” said Winfrey. “We’ve become a major economic driver in Illinois, and we appreciate Governor Pritzker’s attention to our region. These investments will pay big dividends to the entire region’s economy.”

The state is also prepared to help Will County with the demolition of the old Will County Courthouse by providing $1 million for the project, the county board said. Will County is also slated to get $5.1 million for improvements to Spring Creek and Hickory Creek which will help the county in flood mitigation. Both creeks funnel into the Des Plaines River and have long been a source of flooding.

“Things are changing and Will County has a lot of infrastructure projects that need to be accomplished to keep up with the growth we’re experiencing,” said Will County Board Member and Capital Improvements Committee Chair Herb Brooks. “Businesses and families are investing in Will County and it’s great to see the Illinois do the same.”

Lastly, the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center will also receive $312,500 from the capital bill. The Children’s Advocacy Center is a nonprofit that relies on a blend of donations, and funding from all levels of government to provide counseling services to children who have been abused.