Illinois awarded $8.6 million to alleviate I-290 flooding

Illinois awarded $8.6 million to alleviate I-290 flooding

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced it has received an $8.6 million federal grant to reduce flooding on Interstate 290 (Eisenhower Expressway) as part of a new initiative to strengthen transportation infrastructure during severe weather events, making it more resilient, safe and reliable for the public. The grant is matched by a $15 million contribution from IDOT and $1.2 million from Cook County for a combined $25 million investment that will cut down future maintenance and construction costs on I-290.

“As extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change, we must ensure that communities most affected by these events have access to safe and reliable transportation,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “Thanks to this investment from the federal, state and local level, we can continue to modernize our transportation system, prioritize quality of life infrastructure projects, and build resilient communities.”

The grant will upgrade sewers along Harrison Street to reduce episodes of flooding on I-290 while protecting homes and local streets in Maywood. The project also will alleviate stress on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s system during heavy rains, complementing the district’s ongoing efforts to address flooding as well as recent work done by IDOT to build a new $46 million pump station next to the Des Plaines River to prepare for the eventual reconstruction of I-290.

“Under Gov. Pritzker’s leadership, we are taking huge strides in making our assets more protected from extreme weather and the stresses that come with changing climate patterns,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “This grant will help us continue this mission and improve the quality of life for residents along I-290. We appreciate the assistance from our federal and local partners as we look forward to delivering these improvements.”

“This project gave the county, state and local governments the opportunity to partner to undertake a major improvement that will help reduce severe flooding while rebuilding a major transportation corridor,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “These are real, concrete steps we can take now to make communities more resilient to climate change and address our aging infrastructure.”

The funding is made possible by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation Program, or PROTECT, which is awarding nearly $830 million to 37 states for 80 projects that will make transportation systems more resilient to extreme weather events worsened by the climate crisis, flooding, sea level rise, heat waves and other disasters. The other Illinois award went to the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission for $380,000 to study infrastructure vulnerability during severe weather events.

“Through the PROTECT grant program, we are embarking on a crucial endeavor to study and address the vulnerabilities of our transportation systems in the face of increasingly severe weather threats,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois). “With strategic investments and collaborative efforts, we will build stronger, more resilient infrastructure that can withstand the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.”

“Every year, communities in Illinois and across the country struggle to plan for and recover from severe weather events,” said U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois). “One of the best things we can do to protect our cities and towns is ensure they have the tools, resources and research they need to prepare for flooding and other severe weather. I’m relieved that this funding will help Champaign County study potential transportation infrastructure vulnerabilities during severe weather events and enable Maywood to make much-needed upgrades to their sewer systems to reduce flooding.”

“I have worked with Maywood and county officials for years to provide additional flood relief for the area,” said U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-17). “This $8.6 million grant will bring a lot of smiles to the faces of Maywood Mayor Booker and constituents of the area.”

“We are making a crucial investment that will bring forth robust infrastructure updates to tackle flooding issues head on,” said state Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford. “Investments in infrastructure are investments into the quality of life to local residents.”

Under Gov. Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, IDOT is revitalizing infrastructure across the state. Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is investing a combined total of $33.2 billion into the state's aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. The landmark capital program is not only the largest in state history, but also the first one that touches all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

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