Multiple projects underway in the Bloomington-Normal area

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that multiple projects in the Bloomington-Normal area are underway or starting soon and extending into 2021. The five projects represent a total investment $13.8 million for the region, with all the funding coming from Gov. JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital program.

"With the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, Illinois isn't just making temporary repairs and patching up existing infrastructure, it's investing for the future," said Gov. Pritzker. "Rebuild Illinois is the beginning of an effort to improve and replace roads and bridges and provide jobs in the Bloomington-Normal area and across the entire state. In the coming months, IDOT will undertake five projects that will ultimately create safer roads and bridges for the Bloomington-Normal community."

Three of the five projects are ongoing, with two starting later:

• Interstate 39 bridge deck resurfacings from Franklin Street, in Hudson, to E 2100 North Road, two miles south of Hudson, began in July and scheduled for completion next spring. A single lane closure is in place on I-39.
• Interstate 55/74 ultra-thin hot mix asphalt overlay from Fox Creek Road to Sugar Creek began in June and is scheduled for completion this summer. A single lane closure is in place on I-55/74.
• Truck parking lot expansion at the Funks Grove Rest area on Interstate 55 began in July and is scheduled for completion this fall. Daytime closures of some parking stalls will be necessary.
• Old Route 66 resurfacing from Shirley to Interstate74 is scheduled to begin in September and completed this fall. Intermittent lane closures on Old Route 66 will be necessary.
• Bridge joint replacements and repairs on I-55 over I-74, northwest of Bloomington, are scheduled to begin next spring, with a fall completion date. A single lane closure on I-55 will be necessary.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow for extra time when traveling through these work zones. Drivers are urged to pay attention to changed conditions and signs, watch for traffic signals, stay aware of width restrictions, refrain from using mobile devices and remain alert for workers and equipment.

"Across the nation, highway construction and maintenance continue as essential infrastructure activities. Illinois is no different," said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "These projects represent a significant investment in the Bloomington-Normal area that will improve safety, mobility and create economic opportunity for years to come. Please, slow down and pay extra attention driving in and around any work zone." 

Passed in 2019, Gov. Pritzker's historic and bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan is investing $33.2 billion into the state's aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history but also the first one that touches all modes of Illinois transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

As part of the new FY2021-26 Proposed Highway Improvement Program released in July, IDOT is investing $21.3 billion to improve roads and bridges over the next six years, the second multi-year plan that reflects the impact of Rebuild Illinois.

For news on these and other projects in IDOT's District 5, follow @IDOTDistrict5 on Twitter or sign up to receive email alerts from IDOT in Motion. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook.