$50 Million Invested For IL Transportation Improvement Projects
By: Robert Burke
Updated: January 30, 2013
CHICAGO -- The latest round of funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) will support more than 400 jobs through 54 projects, including bike paths, walking trails, historic preservation and streetscape beautification projects in communities across Illinois. The ITEP is a federally-funded, competitive program that encourages transportation-related enhancement projects in a variety of categories.
"This major investment in community transportation projects throughout Illinois will help improve the quality of life for everyone," Governor Quinn said. "These projects will create hundreds of jobs while preserving our heritage, beautifying communities and creating new transportation options across our state for pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. I want to thank our Congressional delegation for securing the funds so that we can reinvest them back into our cities, towns and counties."
The ITEP program is designed to promote and develop alternative transportation options, including bike and pedestrian travel, along with streetscape beautification. The federal funds are awarded competitively, and any local or state government with taxing authority is eligible to apply. Local matching funds are required, and work must begin on the projects within three years.