Fixing Unsafe Roads and Bridges

Families and businesses rely upon government to maintain safe and efficient transportation infrastructure that moves people and products reliably throughout Illinois. Unfortunately, a lack of investment has left Illinois’ roads and bridges teetering on the brink of a crisis that threatens the entire state.

• More than 26,000 miles of Illinois roads are in “poor” condition
• More than 2,300 of Illinois bridges are rated as “structurally deficient” and require repair.
• The amount of backlogged road repairs will double to 5,500 miles by 2023 without additional funding
• Illinois roads were ranked third worst nationally for travel delay, excess fuel  consumed, truck congestion cost, and total congestion cost.
• Illinois needs an additional $10 billion between 2018-2023 just to bring existing roads to acceptable condition and repair all backlogged bridges

Bad Roads Cost Every Driver More

• Drivers in Illinois spend an additional $627 per year on vehicle maintenance due to inferior roads, while an average Illinois driver currently only pays $360 per year in state and federal transportation fees

Illinois Bridges are Past Their Prime

• More than 1,000 bridges in Illinois are more than 100 years old, and one in three bridges is 50+ years old, well beyond design expectations

Rebuilding our infrastructure will create well-paying jobs and develop the next generation of skilled workers in Illinois

• More than 40 percent of Illinois’ construction workforce is unionized, earning decent wages and benefits and participating in federally-approved career training programs.
• Union contracts provide equal pay for female and minority workers

For further reading:

• 2018 Illinois Infrastructure Report Card, American Society of Civil Engineers: https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/state-item/illinois/
• Passing the Buck: An Assessment of Capital Funding Needs in Illinois, Illinois Economic Policy Institute: https://midwestepi.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/cost-per-lane-mile-nationally-and-in-the-midwest-updated-final.pdf
• A Comparison of Highway Costs in the Midwest and Nationally, Illinois Economic Policy Institute: https://midwestepi.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/cost-per-lane-mile-nationally-and-in-the-midwest-updated-final.pdf