DES PLAINES, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois’ backlog of bad bridges will get a boost thanks to $275 million in federal funds coming to the state this year. President Joe Biden announced the infrastructure plan today as part of a bipartisan law.
Illinois ranks third in the country for bridges in poor condition.
Congressman Brad Schneider and other democrats stood in the snow next to the Rand Road Bridge in Des Plaines. It’s one of 2,374 bridges in Illinois labeled in poor condition.
"The state has determined that more than half of these bridges need to be completely replaced. Updating bridges means safer communities for work and school," he said.
"It means accessible sidewalks for pedestrians or cyclists to cross our rivers."
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky said the infrastructure bill passed in November will not just address bridges.
"We're talking about mass transportation, about electric charging stations, about a lot of changes that are gonna come to the state of Illinois."
This federal aid removes the requirement that local communities match it with tax dollars.
Related
