The Illinois Department of Transportation plans more than $8 billion in statewide road and bridge projects over the next six years.

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 District 2 of Region 2 over the next six years include:

• U.S. 20 (Rockford bypass) from Simpson Road to Rock River and Illinois 2 from south of Southrock Drive to south of U.S. 20 interchange. Interchange reconstruction including bridge replacement, reconstruction on 1.9 miles and land acquisition, $17.4 million;

• U.S. 20 Business (West State St.) from Day Ave. to Independence Ave., Rockford. Reconstruction on 0.6-mile route, intersection improvements, traffic modernization and other work, $10.3 million.

• Interstate 88 resurfacing and patching of an 8.6-mile stretch in Whiteside County, $14.5 million;

• U.S. 20 resurfacing, a bridge replacement and realignments and utility adjustments from Illinois 84 to Main St. in Galena, $12.1 million;

• U.S. 20 resurfacing, reconstruction, bridge replacement and utility adjustments near Stockton, $23.4 million.

District 2 includes Winnebago and nine other counties in northwestern Illinois.

Tens of millions of dollars are also allocated to a series of projects for local roadwork.

Statewide, 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.