U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says a Metro East port project is getting more money.
Durbin announced the $8.5 million from the Department of Transportation. The money is to help build a transportation hub that Durbin says can help reduce congestion on the Mississippi River.
Durbin's office says the project got $6 million last year. The project includes a harbor, rail lines and a rail and truck facility in Madison County, Ill.
The Illinois Democrat says the facility can help the Metro East's economic competitiveness.
The new award was part of a pot of money redistributed by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The secretary is a former member of Congress from Illinois.