Chicago Construction News staff writer
Construction will begin May 30 on the $21.8 million Fayette Avenue reconstruction and widening.
Connecting Interstate 70 to downtown Effingham, reconstructing Fayette Avenue is expected reduce congestion along a busy commercial corridor, increase transportation options for residents and enhance local quality of life.
“After years of neglect and decay, I couldn’t be happier to announce that Fayette Avenue in Effingham will be getting a much-needed makeover — reducing congestion, improving safety, and enhancing quality of life for the thousands of Illinoisans who travel through this corridor every day,” said Governor J.B. Pritzker. “Roads, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, and broadband, too — Rebuild Illinois is leaving no aspect of our state’s infrastructure untouched, all while creating thousands of good-paying union jobs.
“This latest project in Effingham is another step towards our end-goal: to modernize Illinois for generations to come.”
The project consists of widening the existing four lanes of Fayette Avenue (U.S. 40/Illinois 33) from Illini Drive to Walnut Street and adding a middle turn lane from Henrietta Street to Walnut Street. Additional elements include upgrading storm sewers, constructing a multiuse path, adding ADA-compliant sidewalks, modernizing traffic signals and installing new lighting.
The initial stage, starting after Memorial Day, will focus on the new eastbound right lane from Raney Street to Walnut Street just before the Canadian National Railroad underpass, beginning with the removal of several properties purchased to widen the road. One lane will be maintained in each direction throughout construction, with intermittent side street closures when necessary. Temporary pavement and traffic signals will be required at times in the work zone.
Phase two is included in IDOT’s FY 2023-28 Multi-Year Program at $44.1 million and will extend construction from Banker Street to Long Street.
Click here for more information on the Fayette Avenue improvements.
Planning for the Fayette Avenue improvements started in 2006, with design approval reached in 2012. The project could not advance, however, due to lack of funding, which was remedied with the passage of Rebuild Illinois in 2019.
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 2,500 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois.
