The Blagojevich administration says it has provided President-elect Barack Obama with a list of nearly 300 highway, transit, airport and railway infrastructure projects that are ready to begin immediately.
Obama discussed his goals for a recovery plan Saturday in his weekly radio address and Internet video. Gov. Rod Blagojevich issued a statement following Obama's address, commending the plan.
"President-elect Obama understands the need to create an infrastructure program that creates jobs," Blagojevich said.
The Blagojevich administration has identified bridge repairs, airport runway extensions, road resurfacing projects and improvements to the Chicago-area transit and commuter rail system.
The list includes ventures in Cook, Lake, Williamson, Franklin, Jefferson, McHenry and Madison counties.
On the governor's wish list:
• Improve Amtrak service across Illinois including new service to Rockford and the Quad Cities, estimated to provide 4,700 jobs.
• The elimination of slow zones for CTA trains, estimated to provide 4,300 jobs.
• The construction of additional lanes on US 45, in Lake County, estimated to provide 2,500 jobs.
• Improvements to I-57 in Williamson, Franklin and Jefferson counties, estimated to provide 1,700 jobs.
• The construction of additional lanes on IL 47 in McHenry County, estimated to provide 1,600 jobs.
• The bridge replacement on I-55 at IL 162 in Madison County, estimated to provide 1,600 jobs.
• Completion of the Alton Bypass in Madison County, estimated to provide 1,400 jobs.
• The construction of additional lanes on IL 22 in Lake County, estimated to provide 900 jobs.
• Rolling stock for CTA, Metra, Pace, downstate paratransit and Amtrak, estimated to provide 18,500 jobs.
