IL Dept. of Transportation receives $4.5M to develop new digital system

(KBSI) – The Illinois Department of Transportation received a $4.5 million Federal Highway Administration grant.

It will be used to develop a new digital system to improve efficiencies and safety as well as modernize administration of future construction projects.

The grant is one of 10 awarded to 35 states that applied.

Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman says the goal at IDOT is to become the country’s most innovative department of transportation.

“This grant helps to further that mission while streamlining project delivery, investing taxpayer dollars wisely and strengthening our status as the transportation hub of North America,” said Osman.

The funding will enable IDOT to establish a digital network to share information on upcoming projects. That will reduce the use of paper reports, allow for 3D modeling and aerial surveying to improve accuracy and increase efficiency of data collection for other state and local agencies to access electronically.

Other benefits include reducing worker exposure by decreasing surveying activity in work zones and environmentally sensitive areas, according to IDOT.

Rebuild Illinois was passed in 2019. This capital plan is investing a total of $33.2 billion over six years into the state’s aging transportation system. It is creating jobs and promoting economic growth.

Rebuild Illinois is the largest capital program in state history. It is also the first that touches all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

IDOT leaders plans to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois over the next six years.

For more information on IDOT projects, tap here.