Gov. Bruce Rauner said Thursday that he wants lawmakers to approve a plan that would allow the Illinois Department of Transportation to use a public-private partnership to add lanes to a busy stretch of Interstate 55 in the Chicago area.
The Republican governor's plan includes the possibility of tolls that he says could cover the estimated $425 million cost of the project. But it also would require approval by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly at a time when lawmakers are sharply divided over the state-budget stalemate.
"By using existing resources to leverage private investment, we can build the type of infrastructure that allows Illinois to better compete in the 21st century," Rauner said in a news release.
The project would add at least one lane to Interstate 55 in each direction between Interstate 355 and Interstate 90/94. The state plans to finish federal environmental studies later this year.
Details about the potential private partnerships were not immediately available.
According to the Rauner administration, the 25-mile stretch of freeway handles 170,000 vehicles a day and regularly experiences traffic slowdowns.
Rauner expects the project to be finished in 2019.
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The state can enter private partnerships for freeway building and operation as long as the General Assembly approves.
Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno joined Rauner and others in introducing a resolution seeking lawmaker approval.
"Relieving the congestion on this stretch of I-55 must be a priority for the state of Illinois," she said in the news release. "However, we must also recognize the state must be creative in addressing our transportation challenges."
