Among national, state and local politicians, Kathy Perhay, a Sunnyland Merchant chairwoman, said it best: “Go Sunnyland!”
Perhay, of Tony and Son’s tire and auto repair, was one of many speakers Monday at a press conference at the East Peoria Event Center celebrating the completion of the Sunnyland portion of the Illinois Route 8 reconstruction project — which runs from east of Sunrise Avenue to west of Summit Street in East Peoria.
“The sidewalks are wonderful. We’ve never had sidewalks,” she said. “And we see morning, noon, and night, people walking, jogging, biking. It’s going to be wonderful.
A ribbon cutting ceremony also took place to kick off construction on the East Peoria portion of Route 8 and Summit Street expansion from Oakwood Road to east of Sunrise Avenue. Construction for the Summit Street expansion will begin the first week of September, and the new portion of Route 8 will begin Nov. 15.
The final phase in Washington is estimated to begin 2012. Combined, all four segments cost $46 million.
“I’m grateful to the legislature for passing the capital bill, which has enabled our state now to have the kinds of resources to continue these very important projects,” said Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation. “You ought to feel pretty good today as tax payers. Your dollars are being well spent. And they’re being spent on creating opportunities, perhaps not necessarily for you all, but for your children and grandchildren.”
Aaron Schock, U.S. Congressman (R-Ill.), addressed the safety benefits of the reconstruction.
“Many aren’t aware that one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and deaths is actually hazardous road conditions,” he said.
“You don’t have to look any further than the photos of the before and after shots to know that the improvements made on this highway significantly increase the safety and traffic flow on this route.”
Mayor Gary Manier gave his thanks at the press conference, as well.
“It’s a privilege to gather together to celebrate anything, but Route 8 is near and dear to my heart because I grew up five blocks from here in the center of that corridor and this project is long, long overdue,” he said adding, “We’ve been waiting our turn and now we’re a little more patient because we know it’s going to happen in 2012.”
After the conference, LaHood addressed the importance of the construction from an economic standpoint.
“This is an economic engine. It means jobs, it means development, it means people will locate businesses here,” he said. “It’s really a boom for this area. It will jump start the economy all along this corridor. ... You see what happens; if you build it, they will come.”
