Work on US Highway 51 in the Decatur area is underway.

It's being praised by central Illinois lawmaker Dan Caulkins who says the central Illinois highway has been in dire need of attention for some time.

According to Rep. Caulkins, the intersection at Maroa-Forsyth High School is a point of emphasis because of the dangers it poses before and after school times.

Rep. Caulkins is critical of the lack of attention downstate is getting in the infrastructure package that was signed by the Governor early on in his tenure. While he is appreciative of some of the areas that have been addressed, more needs to be done.

Rep. Caulkins speculates one of the reasons work is slow to get done in Illinois is because the cost to fix roads in Illinois is so much more than in neighboring states and there are lots of regulations when it comes to infrastructure work that contractors have to jump through.