SPRINGFIELD - State officials released their plan Thursday for road construction for the coming year, a $10.9 billion multiyear program that they say shifts focus from distressed roads to aging bridges.

Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Milton Sees said bridge repair became an increased priority after last summer's collapse of an interstate bridge in Minneapolis.

Sees said focus on existing problematic structures means the construction of new roads is scarce in the plan.

"So we do not have the money left for system expansion," Sees said.

The ability to build new bridges and roads, he said, depends on the willingness of lawmakers to approve an expansion of state gambling to pay for a $31 billion construction bump.

Lawmakers mostly applauded the projects the plan would pay for in the next year, such as the resurfacing of Interstate 74 through DeWitt County and parts of Interstate 72 in Macon County.

About $2 billion is planned for the next fiscal year, which runs until July 2009.

"There are several road projects in Effingham that are on the list, and so, all in all, when you look at the entire district, a lot of roadwork is going to be going on in several counties," said state Sen. John Jones, R-Mount Vernon.

But most lawmakers agreed that having the $31 billion in additional money could only help.

"There is some money in there for U.S. 51; probably not what is necessary to do what could be done under a capital expansion program," said Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville. "But at least there's still recognition that there are needs for 51, and that's what's important."

The nearly $11 billion in planned projects released Thursday does not depend on the ability of lawmakers to approve a construction plan.

Sees said the state was forced to plan for fewer projects for their money because of the rising price of construction materials. In addition, he said, the amount of money the state earns from gasoline taxes likely won't increase as quickly as it has in the past.

As gas prices go up, Sees said, people are driving less or buying hybrid cars to save on gas.

"People are finding ways to reduce consumption," he said.

As Sees released his plan to reporters Thursday, he ducked questions about a controversial proposal to move about 110 state workers from Springfield to Southern Illinois.

Instead, he referred questions about the possibility of uprooting 110 families to a state spokesman standing nearby.

"What's next is looking at sites for the division of traffic safety locations in Southern Illinois," said Brian Williamsen, Illinois DOT spokesman. "We've been looking along the Interstate 57 corridor. We continue to do so. That is what's next, identifying that site."

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.