Forby announces $27.9 million for U.S. 45 resurfacing

U.S. Route 45 at Eldorado and Stonefort will be benefiting from $27.9 million dedicated to repair the highway from the Illinois Jobs Now! Program.

The money is for resurfacing, according to a release from State Senator Gary Forby's office.

Previous state funded construction efforts took place near Crainville, with $24.1 million for the interchange of Route 13 and Wolf Creek Road as well as $700,000 for construction of a new 50-bed facility addition to the Anna Veterans' Home. A total of $1.5 billion has been allocated for projects for infrastructure, higher education funding and economic development plans in the area, according to the release.

"Some areas of my district were hit hardest by the economic downturn, but we still see a lot of tourism for our natural resources as well as visitors to Southern Illinois University," Forby said, in the prepared release. "As a result of these upcoming construction projects, the infrastructure in our neck of the woods gets a much needed upgrade that will put people to work and go a long way to ensure travelers a pleasant experience while in Southern Illinois."