For Release: Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
ILLINOIS RECEIVES TRANSPORTATION GRANTS
Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the Illinois Department of Transportation has received several Scenic Byway grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation that will benefit the 12th Congressional District.
The grants include:
- $40,000 for studying interpretive themes for the Meeting of the Great Rivers Byway, which includes Route 100 and Route 3 (Madison County). The completed study will be used to promote tourism.
- $48,960 for a video to be shown at visitor centers concerning the Great River Road, which is comprised of over 550-miles of designated roads that run parallel to the Mississippi River (Alexander, Jackson, Madison, Randolph, St. Clair and Union Counties).
- $25,000 for implementation of the Corridor Management Plan for the Great River Road, which is comprised of over 550-miles of designated roads that run parallel to the Mississippi River (Alexander, Jackson, Madison, Randolph, St. Clair and Union Counties).
- $25,000 for implementation of the Corridor Management and Interpretive Plan for the Historic National Road, which runs roughly parallel to Interstate 70 from East St. Louis, IL to Terre Haute, IN (Madison and St. Clair Counties).
- $25,000 for implementation of the Corridor Management Plan for the Ohio River Scenic Byway, which includes 188-miles of roads including parts of Routes, 13, 37, 45, 141 and 146 (Alexander and Pulaski Counties).
- $37,402 for phase two of the Mound City Interpretive Center, part of the Ohio River Scenic Byway, which includes 188-miles of roads including parts of Routes, 13, 37, 45, 141 and 146 (Alexander and Pulaski Counties).
- $168,000 for implementation of the Interpretative Master Plan for Historic Route 66, which includes 421 miles in Illinois from Chicago to Metro East St. Louis, roughly parallel to I-55.
- $25,000 for implementation of the Corridor Management Plan for Historic Route 66, which includes 421 miles in Illinois from Chicago to Metro East St. Louis, roughly parallel to I-55.
- $17,000 for byway marker signs along all the byways in Illinois.
"Improving the tourist potential of our region is good for the economy," said Costello. "These funds will attract visitors to the area, and with the natural beauty found here, we must continue to encourage tourism as a means of economic development."
###
