Chicago Construction News staff writer
Rebuild Illinois has announced more than $9.6 billion work had been completed statewide on 4,546 miles of highway, 422 bridges, and 645 additional safety improvements, ranging from routine maintenance projects to extensive interstate and bridge reconstructions.
“At its very core, the Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan is an investment in our future—one that is economically prosperous and environmentally sustainable with the promise of opportunity at every turn,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We have already completed more than 4,500 miles of highway renovations, 422 bridge repairs, and hundreds of additional safety improvements—all while creating and supporting thousands of jobs.
“Planes, trains, automobiles, and barges, too—we are transforming and revitalizing every mode of transportation in every corner of our state to build a modernized Illinois that works for everyone.”
- One of the largest, most complex projects in state history was declared substantially complete when all lanes and ramps on the new Jane Byrne Interchange opened in December. The $806 million project revamped the junction of Interstate 90/94, Interstate 290 and Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago with several capacity and safety improvements, as well as enhanced access to bike, pedestrian, and transit options.
- A new Interstate 57/74 interchange is taking shape in Champaign-Urbana as the $216.8 million project that includes two flyover bridges central to the project. With anticipated completion in 2025, the updates will modernize an outdated cloverleaf interchange.
- The $167 million eastbound McClugage Bridge replacement in Peoria, also continues in 2023, with a 650-foot long, 130-foot-tall arch that will be moved by crane into its final position next summer. This bridge is anticipated to open in early 2024.
- Federal approval was received in 2022 for a $1.2 billion reconstruction of 16 miles of Interstate 80 in Will County. While the replacement of bridges east of the Des Plaines River continues, the section from Ridge Road to the DuPage River will be under construction in 2023.
- Resurfacing the entire length of I-24 in Illinois passed a milestone with the completion of a $28 million pavement patching, resurfacing and bridge repair on the two miles approaching the Ohio River last fall.
- In the Metro East area, a $10.1 million project to modernize rail operations was declared finished in October with replacement of the Lenox Tower.
- Downstate transit providers were awarded nearly $111 million through a competitive application process via Rebuild Illinois to build bus shelters, stations, and maintenance facilities.
- $108 million through the capital program was invested in 12 public ports for projectsthat advance the Illinois Marine Transportation System Plan.
- New air traffic control tower at Lewis UniversityAirport, an $8 million project supported by $6 million from Rebuild Illinois.
