Illinois gives I-66 a big boost

After years of being shut out of I-66 discussions, Illinois has become a pivotal player as federal legislators get ready to draft legislation that would set the course of highway construction for the next decade.

I-66 is a proposed east-west interstate that would go through Southern Illinois under existing legislation that will expire soon. It appeared Illinois might be cut out of the designated corridor because of its lack of interest. Illinois governors in recent years gave I-66 no priority. But Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration is giving I-66 full consideration, and a recent hearing in Southern Illinois indicated strong support for the project.

This is a window of opportunity that has been long sought by I-66 supporters in Cape Girardeau who envision the new interstate crossing the Mississippi River on the new Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

There are a lot of hurdles to cross before that's likely to happen, but the effort is certainly picking up steam with the help of interested Illinois officials.