Governor Quinn Announces $24.1 Million for Route 13 and Wolf Creek Road Interchange in Crainville

CRAINVILLE - Governor Pat Quinn today announced capital investments of more than $24.1 million for a major improvement project at Route 13 and Wolf Creek Road near Crainville. The project will improve traffic flow and safety in Williamson County. Funded by his Illinois Jobs Now! construction program, the project is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"This is just the latest in a series of major projects along Route 13, one of the most-used highways in southern Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "This project will accommodate the rapid growth in the area, and the construction jobs created by the project will be an added benefit."

A new full-access diamond interchange will be constructed at Illinois Route 13 and Wolf Creek Road, including four new ramps and a new bridge to carry Wolf Creek Road over Route 13. The work includes adding additional lanes, widening, new frontage roads and improvements to existing roads. E.T. Simonds Construction Company of Carbondale was the lowest of three bidders for the job with a quote of $24,137,950. Construction is being managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"The Crainville Diamond interchange will not only create jobs in southern Illinois, it will also clean up some of the congestion that has grown with the area," State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) said. "I am excited to see these hardworking people making the area a better and safer travel region."

The Route 13 project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.