HIGHWAY PLAN CONTAINS SOUTHERN ILLINOIS WORK

Over $30 million in Southern Illinois highway projects supported by U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard are included in a highway authorization bill approved last week by the House Public Works and Transportation Committee.

Poshard, a member of the committee, said the bill is focused heavily on economic development and, if funding is upheld, it "holds tremendous promise for improving the economy of Southern Illinois."

"I worked with state and local officials to determine which projects would most help Southern Illinois," said Poshard. "We had extremely good projects, and unfortunately not all of them made it, but the ones that did will have a positive economic impact on Southern Illinois."

He said: "I wanted a seat on the Public Works and Transportation Committee so I could help Southern Illinois in this bill. I am extremely pleased to see the committee recognize the importance of improving the infrastructure of our area, which is trying mightily to improve its economic condition."

Poshard said quality roads to move goods and people are essential to any coordinated effort to provide economic opportunity.

Among projects is funding for a feasibility study for a tollway from Carbondale to East St. Louis. Another is continued upgrading of Route 13 in Williamson and Saline counties that will help complete the Murphysboro-Cardondale-Marion-Harrisburg corridor.

The bill would also authorize Shawnee View Parkway in Union and Johnson counties, which would be an all-weather road from Alto Pass to Tunnell Hill to improve tourism in the Shawnee National Forest. The project is estimated to cost $2.8 million.

There also is authorization for reconstruction of Feather Trail Road in Pulaski County, which is vital to the construction of the $800 million Olmsted Locks and Dam project; widening and improving 20th street West to Colp in Herrin; and replacement of a one-lane bridge over Crab Orchard Creek in a developing area of Williamson County.