Rebuilding Decatur: Major projects highlight Year Three of Rebuild Illinois

DECATUR- Entering Year Three of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that multiple projects in the Decatur area are underway, highlighting an ongoing commitment made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic, bipartisan capital program. Eight major projects represent a total investment of $73.5 million, improving safety, mobility and quality of life while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region.

"With the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, we are restoring and transforming Illinois's aging infrastructure," said Gov. Pritzker. "Rebuild Illinois is not only about investing in infrastructure but about investing in people and communities as well. In the coming months, IDOT will undertake projects that will ultimately create safer roads and bridges and provide jobs in Decatur and across the entire state."

All eight projects in the Decatur area are scheduled to be completed in 2021 or 2022. They include:

• U.S. 36/Illinois 121 over Lake Decatur bridge deck overlay began in August and scheduled to be completed in November. Lane closures will be in place with one lane open in each direction.
• Illinois 105 from east of Illinois 121 to just east of 26th Street overlay began in August and is scheduled to be completed in November. Lane closures will be in place with one lane open in each direction.
• U.S. 51 from a half-mile north of the Shelby County line to the Christian County line resurfacing began in May and is scheduled to be completed in September. Lane closures will be in place with one lane open in each direction.
• Interstate 72 from the Piatt/Macon County line to 4.4 miles west into Macon County pavement rubblization with an asphalt overlay and earthwork began in March and is scheduled to be completed in November 2022. Traffic currently is shifted to the westbound lanes, utilizing crossovers separated by a barrier wall.
• U.S. 36/51 - U.S. 36 from I-72 to just west of Harristown Boulevard and on U.S. 51 from I-72 to just south of Cantrell Road west of Decatur resurfacing and bridge repair began in May and is scheduled to be completed in November. Lane closures will be in place with one lane open in each direction.
• U.S. 51 from U.S. 51 Business southwest of Decatur toa half-mile north of the Shelby County line resurfacing and bridge joint replacement began last summer and is scheduled to be completed in September. Lane closures will be in place, with one lane open in each direction. Some overnight closures should be expected. For the bridge work, road closures will be in place for Riley Road and for the northbound ramp of U.S. 51 onto Elwin Road.
• U.S. 36/Illinois 121 from 19th Street to about a half-mile east of Airport Road resurfacing, ADA improvements, traffic signal modernization, and traffic signal replacement began last summer and is scheduled to be completed in September. Lane closures will be necessary, with one lane open in each direction. No overnight work is planned. The sidewalks and ramps crossing U.S. 36 and side roads will be closed while constructing the new ramps.
• Illinois 121 from just south of Kile Street to Garfield Avenue resurfacing will begin in September or October. Lane closures will be in place with one lane open in each direction.

"Rebuild Illinois continues to make life-changing impacts in every corner of the state, every neighborhood, town and city, Decatur included," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "As always, please pardon our dust while we rebuild Illinois: Be patient, slow down and pay extra attention driving in and around any work zone." 

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,535 miles of highway and 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Two of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $5.2 billion of improvements statewide on 3,020 miles of highway, 270 bridges and 428 additional safety improvements.

"Good roads are critical to our success in economic development and quality of life.  The highways in and around Decatur have been a mess for the past few years, so these infrastructure improvements are incredibly important," said Decatur Mayor Julie Moore-Wolfe. "We appreciate the support from Governor Pritzker in directing funds to improve our transportation network.  This is what our residents and our businesses have been asking for!"

Click here or visit idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois to view maps on the impact of Rebuild Illinois on this region and other parts of the state.

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