The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Federal and state legislators met with Highway 34 Coalition members and local officials Friday at Country Fun Restaurant in an effort to stress the importance of completing US 34 as a four lane highway from Burlington, IA to Monmouth
Members of the Coalition met with Jason Anderson and Jerry Lack, representing Senator Peter Fitzgerald and Representative Lane Evans, respectively and State Representative Rich Myers and State Senator John Sullivan as well as Tom Carper, regional economic development director.
All support the project and stated that they would do everything in their power to emphasis the need for federal funding for expanding U.S. 34 into a four-lane roadway on the federal and state levels.
Even though there is bipartisan support for the $375 billion transportation bill which includes $100 million for US 34. Kurt McChesney, Coalition Chairman, encourages residents to keep up a letter writing campaign in support of the funding. Persons wanting a sample letter, legislators' addresses or other information may contact the coalition at coalition34@winco.net.
The Coalition was formed by Charlie McChesney in 1990 as a bi-state, bipartisan community organization and governmental representatives, businesses, and individuals who were committed to revitalizing the economic climate of the region through the improvement of US Highway 34
The group has kept the push for a 4-lane connection from Monmouth to Burlington, Iowa on the front burners in Illinois politics since its conception 13 years ago.
Originally it was over 28 miles to hook up with the rest of the world. With a portion of the four-lane work completed from the river to the Carman junction, 23.6 miles remain. Legislators told the group to continue with what they were doing to keep this project an important priority.