[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that three Illinois transportation projects will receive a total of $22.8 million in funding through the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER II) program. Nearly $19 billion in bids were submitted nationwide for the $600 million that was awarded today by the Department of Transportation through the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER II) program created in the 2010 Transportation Appropriations bill.

In 2009, Durbin was a leader in the effort to include the TIGER program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The TIGER II program was modeled on the success of that original program: “Throughout the country, we have huge bottlenecks that restrict the flow of freight and passengers. This congestion costs the United States an estimated $200 billion a year. The TIGER grant program is a coordinated, comprehensive effort to identify and fund nationally significant transportation projects that will improve safety, spur economic development, reduce congestion and create thousands of good paying jobs across the country.”

Warehouse District Redevelopment, City of Peoria: $10,000,000 in funding to design and build a complete street network that is safe, walkable and attractive in the Warehouse District. This project is a key component of the city’s plan for revitalizing the Warehouse District. A new complete street network in Peoria’s Warehouse District is expected to remove obstacles to development in the area. While the Warehouse District is a prime location for investment, the current condition of District’s infrastructure is hindering development. Improving the nearly 15,000 feet of streets in the area will alleviate this situation. Specifically, the project funded today will narrow Washington Street from five to two lanes between MacArthur and State, and from seven to five lanes from State to Hamilton. This project is expected to create 470 jobs.

“With a wealth of historic buildings and closeness to both downtown and the Illinois River, the Warehouse District is a prime location for redevelopment,” said Durbin. “I want to thank Mayor Jim Ardis and State Representative Jehan Gordon for bringing this project to my attention and Secretary LaHood for realizing its potential. Today’s funding is the boost that this area needs to start attracting significant economic development.”

U.S. Route 14 and EJ&E Railway Grade Separation, City of Barrington: $2,800,000 in funding for the planning, designing and engineering of a grade separation at the U.S. Route 14 and Eastern Joliet & Elgin (EJ&E) Railway crossing. One of the most trafficked intersections along the EJ&E Railway is at U.S. Route 14 in Barrington, utilized by about 40,000 commuters daily. U.S. Route 14 is the only U.S. Route in Illinois affected by Canadian National’s acquisition of the EJ&E Railway that is not grade separated from the railroad. Constructing an underpass to grade separate the intersection at this location will allow this location to adequately handle the expected increase in freight rail traffic due to the acquisition.

“I am glad that the Department of Transportation understands the importance for safety and mitigation measures and is taking action today to make these rail crossings safer,” said Durbin. “Congresswoman Melissa Bean has been a tireless advocate on behalf of her constituents affected by increased freight traffic along the railroad and I will continue working with her to ensure that the safety of residents and travelers is the primary focus.”

Quad Cities Multimodal Station, Moline: $10,000,000 in funding for the construction of an intermodal station which will serve as the Quad Cities stop for Amtrak service in downtown Moline. The proposed Intermodal Station located adjacent to the Centre Station transit facility will spur development in downtown Moline and throughout the Quad Cities region. Construction is expected to generate nearly 750 construction jobs and result in the retention or creation of 1,100 private sector jobs. An additional $47 million in private investment will come to the Quad Cities as a result of the transit oriented development centered on the Amtrak station.

“Because of the coordinated efforts of local officials and organizations, the Quad Cities is set to benefit from the economic boost that comes with passenger rail,” said Durbin. “Today’s funding will only increase the impact that Amtrak will have in the Quad Cities region. I thank Governor Pat Quinn for working with me to bring passenger rail to the region and Congressman Phil Hare for his effort in securing federal funding to begin track improvements.”