Huge amounts of money are being poured into Illinois as it enters a monster construction season with 20 major projects kicking off thanks to Gov. JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital program. This program, the largest in the state's history and backed by bipartisan efforts, is cashing out nearly $825 million to rev up safety, mobility, and job growth across the Metro East region, according to an announcement from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
As described in a communication released by the Illinois government, 11 of these projects are on the fast track to be wrapped up by 2024, with the rest scheduled for completion between 2025 and 2028. Travelers better brace for lanes to shut down as the game-changing Interstate 270 over Mississippi River bridge replacement gears up for a summer 2027 completion date, with night lane closures but two lanes maintained in each direction.
Cutting this season are upgrades to a stretch of Illinois 159, with resurfacing and ADA improvements that promise smoother rides by fall 2024. While crews get down to business, expect some lane closures but rest easy knowing two-way traffic will keep on trucking through, the government release detailed.
Expect a few roadblocks as IDOT fixes roads from Illinois 111 to Horseshoe Lake Road and patches up Beltline Road from Illinois 157 to 159, with the latter anticipating a summer kick-off and a fall completion. Crunch time hits summer 2024, with projects like the Illinois 162/157 at Judy's Branch Creek aiming to redirect traffic by summer 2028, as the plans detailed by the state revealed.
Meanwhile, the gears of the local economy are set to get greased with a hefty dose of new jobs. According to state Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea), these structural overhauls are crucial for the heavily trafficked Metro East to stay safe and accessible. His sentiment was echoed by Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea), who touted the infrastructure investments as a boon for economic opportunity and improved living standards for residents.
State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) pointed out that while these projects might not make the front pages, they are the nuts and bolts that keep Illinois' wheels turning by ensuring the seamless transit of people, goods, and businesses. Together, these upgrades represent part of the broader $33.2 billion investment of the Rebuild Illinois plan, touching all modes of transportation and aiming to spur job creation and economic growth.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman issued a reminder that with construction season comes work zones. In a nudge to safety, Osman advised, "Put down the devices. Follow the signs. And when you see orange, slow down and save lives."
