Among the projects in the plan are $196.6 million to replace the eastbound U.S. 150 bridge over the Illinois River in Peoria. Photo by ProfDEH

The Illinois Department of Transportation plans more than $8 billion in statewide road and bridge projects over the next six years, released in a blueprint last week.

But the 2016-2021 plan is basically a stop-gap effort and IDOT warns that the state’s infrastructure is in danger of “rapid deterioration” without sustained investment.

Work ranges from local resurfacing to new bridges in Peoria and Moline, to continued reconstruction of the state’s busiest interchange near downtown Chicago.

“While this latest multiyear program will have positive impact on many of our communities, it also underscores the urgency to find a long-term, sustainable solution for our infrastructure needs,” said Randy Blankenhorn, acting Illinois Transportation Secretary in a statement. “Just maintaining our existing system will be a challenge, with the ability to tai on any new projects extremely difficult.”

Broadly, the plan calls for improving 1,431 miles of state roadways and replacement or rehabilitation of 357 bridges. More than $5.2 billion is allocated to state roads while $3.1 billion is assigned for local projects.

Major highlights of planned work on state and interstate highways in IDOT’s 12-county region covering Peoria, Pekin, Chllicothe and towns to the west and southwest include:

* U.S. 150 (War Memorial Drive) eastbound over the Illinois River features a bridge replacement project costing up to $196 million.

• Among projects on Interstate 74 is rubblization with overlay on 9.2-miles of the interstate through Woodford County from the Tazewell County line to the McLean County line at a cost of $38.6 million; resurfacing on nine miles from Spoon River east of Illinois 78 in Knox and Peoria counties at a cost of $7 million; and a bridge deck replacement is planned on Interstate 74 at Pinecrest Drive in East Peoria costing $7.3 million.

• Interstate 474 work includes bridge painting and construction at Illinois 24 at the Illinois River in Peoria County costing $15.6 million; nearly six miles of the interstate will be resurfaced from the Illinois River to Interstate 74 near Morton in Tazewell County at a cost of $8 million

• Bridge rehabilitation is planned for an Illinois 8/lllinois 116 (Cedar St.) over the Illinois River and Tazewell and Peoria Railroad Incorporated in Peoria and East Peoria at a cost of $11 million

• A bridge replacement is planned nearby on the same route at a Cedar Street Extension at a cost of $32.2 million

• A bridge replacement is planned on Illinois 116 (Harmon Highway) over the Chicago and North Western and Kickapoo Creek in Peoria County at a $5.3 million cost.

• A bridge replacement is also planned on Farmington Road over Kickapoo Creek Road west of Peoria costing $13.9 million.

Tens of millions of dollars are also allocated to a series of projects for local roadwork. An estimated $1.85 billion in spending is expected in Fiscal Year 2016.

IDOT said last week that 83 percent of state highways and 93 percent of bridges are currently in acceptable condition but are expected to worsen over the next five years. The agency estimates that by 2012, just 62 percent of roads and 86 percent of bridges will be in acceptable shape.

Future state and federal funding prospects look uncertain, especially with the federal Highway Trust Fund authority expiring at month’s end. The fund reimburses states for spending on highway improvements and mass transit.

“IDOT’s revenue projections do not provide much hope moving forward,” according to an executive summary to the 477-page plan. “On the federal end, the Highway Trust Fund’s health is in serious doubt and infusions of general fund have been required to keep in functioning.

“IDOT (also) anticipates declining Motor Fuel Tax revenue collections, resuming a long-running trend, (while) Motor Vehicle Registration fees are expected to remain stagnant.

Federal funding covers up to 89 percent of the FY 2016-21 budget, seven percent comes from local funds while four percent come from state funding.

Blankenhorn and IDOT staff recently conducted a statewide listening tour to learn about infrastructure needs. The entire plan can be viewed at www.dot.illinois.gov.