Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn will announce $47 million in funding to expand John Deere Road in Moline this afternoon.

Moline Mayor Don Welvaert said he learned Tuesday afternoon that the governor would be in Moline today to announce the funding. The money will be used to widen John Deere Road -- from four to six lanes -- from 38th to 70th streets and to pay for an overpass at 38th Street, Mayor Welvaert said.

"This is fantastic news," he added. "It's something that's been on our radar for many years."

In April, officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation announced the widening and overpass project had been included in its 2013-2018 multi-modal transportation program. At that time, an IDOT official said the project would begin in Spring 2013 and could take up to three years to complete.

The $9.2 billion IDOT multi-modal transportation program designated $621 million for road and bridge projects in District 2, which includes Rock Island, Henry, Whiteside, Jo Daviess, Winnebago, Lee, Stephenson, Boone, Ogle and Carroll counties.

Mayor Welvaert said Gov. Quinn will announce the project's funding at 2:30 p.m. today at Ryan's Family Steak House, 3710 39th Ave. Dr., Moline.