Chicago Construction News staff writer
Entering year five of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced multiple projects in the Champaign-Urbana area are underway or starting soon. Eight major projects, led by the Interstate 57/74 interchange reconstruction, represent spending of more than $330.5 million.
“Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in the Champaign-Urbana area and throughout the state,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement. “Through the largest capital program in state history, IDOT will be delivering improvements to build a more resilient, accessible and equitable system of transportation for generations to come, while creating jobs and enhancing local quality of life.”
Seven major projects are underway, with five scheduled to wrap up this year and two others expected to be completed next year and in 2025, including:
- $251.8 million reconstruction of the Interstate 57/74 interchange. Additionally, another project breaks ground later this summer and estimated to be complete in the fall.
- I-57/74 reconstruction of cloverleaf interchange with new structures, pavement with culvert replacement and adjacent resurfacing. Work began in 2021, with an estimated completion in the winter of 2025. Reduced lanes, routine traffic pattern changes and nighttime closures are to be expected throughout construction.
- Saline Branch Bridge .3 miles west of Elm Street in St. Joseph deck overlay replacement began in April with anticipated completion in November. One lane remains open in both directions, with temporary traffic signals.
- Illinois 130 at Guardian Drive south to the I-74 ramp at University Avenue resurfacing began in May and is anticipated to wrap up in August. Nightly road closures with a detour are in place.
- East Branch Salt Fork River Bridge .3 mile east of Rantoul deck overlay replacement began in June and is anticipated to wrap up in November. One lane remains open in both directions with flaggers and temporary traffic signals.
- S. 150, 1.7 and 2.6 miles east of DeWitt County culvert replacement began in May and is anticipated to wrap up in August. A full closure is in place, weather permitting, through August 17.
- I-74 Saline Branch Bridge, one mile east of U.S. 45 over I-74, east of Urbana deck overlay replacement began in April and is anticipated to wrap up in November. One lane remains open in both directions with a barrier wall.
- I-74 from bridge over U.S. 150 west of Danville to the Vermilion River in Danville rehabilitation, pavement reconstruction and drainage improvements began last September and will continue into the fall of 2024. Continual changing lane reductions will occur.
- S. 136 from McLean County to east of Fisher resurfacing and ADA improvement work is anticipated to start in July and wrap up in November. One lane remains open in both directions with flaggers.
“Rebuild Illinois is a transformative investment in our community’s roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure,” said Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin. We appreciate Governor Pritzker and the State of Illinois for focusing on safety, mobility and function in the systems that we depend on for travel in our daily lives.
