Long Road Ahead for Highway 34 Supporters

Biggsville, IL – Highway 34 is a four-lane road from Interstate 74 to Monmouth, and it will soon be a four-lane highway from Burlington to Des Moines. That leaves a 22-mile stretch in the middle still in need of an upgrade. Supporters know the project won't get done overnight but they remain optimistic. Highway 34 Coalition Chairman Kurt McChesney says safety is the biggest concern. He also believes Henderson County's economy will be helped once the stretch becomes a four-lane highway. McChesney says the nation's new transportation bill includes more than $8 million for the road. But he says it will cost an estimated $250 million to complete the work.