Illinois is spending $1.3 million from its capital construction budget to help fund preconstruction work on a long-planned three-state intermodal port.

Gov. Pat Quinn announced the funding during a stop at the Quincy Regional Airport on Monday, 15 years after Illinois, Iowa and Missouri agreed to develop the Mid-America Intermodal Port.

According to reports, the money will be used for planning and design work on the estimated $80 million public-private partnership.

The port would link rail, highway, water and air transportation to move goods.

Illinois Port District Chairman Mike McLaughlin says with the seed money, "you'll really start to see some things take place now."

State Rep. Jil Tracy of Quincy says she's frustrated at the funding delay because the port could be a "huge economic driver."