Kankakee County has been awarded a $2.9 million grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to overhaul Highway 9, improving access to the new Gotion electric vehicle battery plant in Manteno.

The grant is part of IDOT’s Economic Development Program, aimed at facilitating key transportation improvements to support economic growth and job creation.The project includes the addition of new driving lanes, a center turn lane, shoulders, and a traffic signal at Spruce Street, along with a shared bicycle and pedestrian path.

“The road to a clean environment assuredly includes next gen energy storage technologies. But the road to producing these products is still paved with asphalt,” said Kankakee County Board Chairman Andy Wheeler.

The road project will help support the new $2 billion Gotion EV lithium battery plant located in Manteno. The 150-acre site is projected to create 2,600 new jobs, and Gotion’s investment will be supported by $536 million in assistance from the state of Illinois.

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