The Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Economic Development Program (EDP) recently approved Colona, Illinois, for a project that will rebuild the first portion of east Interstate route 80 by U.S. route 6, which will feature new traffic signals.
This section, as well as East 550th Street, offers drivers safety and accessibility to Colona’s growing industrial region.
| Contributed photo
The new portion of the work, which was recently finished on U.S. Route 6, received 100 percent of its funds from state participation. Thanks to the EDP, local government agencies are able to purchase and use funds dedicated to the state of Illinois highways. This is the first time something like this has been possible Illinois.
EDP offers state assistance specifically for local governments as they improve highways and accessibility. The goal is to make better access to the growing tourism development projects and industrial distribution sectors. Now IDOT will use joint agreements to lead designing, construction and other details of the project.
The project also allows IDOT to implement innovative designs and ideas for local needs. This is unique because approximately 25 pieces of land have been donated from multiple property owners for the purpose of the project. Each of these properties has unique stories, but all of the owners are dedicated to helping develop the local economy.
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