CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a six-year plan for what he called the largest highway restoration project in Illinois.
The $1.2 billion project will transform 16 miles of outdated infrastructure along Interstate 80 from Ridge Road in Minooka to U.S. Route 30 in Joliet and New Lenox.
Construction includes a redesign of auxiliary lanes and interchanges to reduce congestion and rehabilitation of over 30 bridges along the roadway.
“These overdue improvements will not only make it safer for commercial drivers, but for the thousands of families who rely on I-80 to commute to work, to drive their kids to school and move safely through their daily lives,” said Pritzker during a press conference Monday morning at the Illinois Department of Transportation in New Lenox.
With an ambitious completion date of 2027, the project is funded by the Rebuild Illinois capital program.
In addition to roadway improvements, the corridor project is also expected to minimize the impact for those that live along the highway.
“When we're done, those same residents will have new pedestrian paths to keep communities better connected,” Pritzker added. “Additionally, eight miles of noise walls will help keep surrounding neighborhoods insulated from loud traffic.”
Starting next year, the section from Ridge Road to the DuPage River will be under construction as land acquisition progresses and final engineering is completed on the replacement of the Des Plaines River bridges.
The Rebuild Illinois capital plan was passed into law in 2019 and invested roughly $45 billion in roads, bridges, railroads, universities, early childhood centers and state facilities.
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