Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has aproved more than $38.4m for a road widening and bridge replacement programme near Morris in Grundy County.

As part of the state’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction programme, the new project is line with the governor’s plan to create jobs and improve the economy of Illinois.

Governor Quinn said: "Our investment will expand and improve a key stretch of Route 47 to accommodate increased traffic and help it continue to serve the region’s transportation needs for years to come.

"It will boost local economic activity."

"The project will also employ a number of construction workers, which will help the local economy."

Illinois Route 47 will be rebuilt with two northbound and two southbound lanes from north of I-80 in Morris to north of Sherrill Road.

Construction works also include the replacement of bridges carrying the highway over Saratoga and Valley Run Creeks.

The project will be executed by D Construction, the lowest of three bidders, with Illinois Department of Transportation overseeing the work.

State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) said: "It will boost local economic activity and provide for an improvement that has been needed due to the increased traffic around this area.

"Once completed, Route 47 will be able to accommodate the region’s transportation activity in a much safer and efficient way thanks to this project."

The $31bn Illinois Jobs Now! programme intends to support more than 439,000 jobs over six years.