{
    "title": "Francis Road over I-80 bridge replacement begins April 27",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-20 22:10:38",
    "published_at": "2026-04-20 22:11:00",
    "url": "https://illinois-department-of-transportation.prezly.com/francis-road-over-i-80-bridge-replacement-begins-april-27",
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    "slug": "francis-road-over-i-80-bridge-replacement-begins-april-27",
    "body": "<p><strong>CHICAGO</strong> &ndash; The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that replacement of the bridge that carries Francis Road over Interstate 80 in New Lenox will begin, weather permitting, Monday, April 27. \u200b </p><p>To complete the work, Francis Road will be fully closed between Silver Cross Boulevard and Gordon Street. A detour will direct traffic to Cedar Road, U.S. 30 (Lincoln Highway) and Gougar Road. The public also should expect occasional overnight lane closures on I-80 at Francis Road. \u200b </p><p>The $5.3 million project is anticipated to be completed in December. </p><p>The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Alternate routes are encouraged. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment. </p><p>Over the <a href=\"https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs/myp.html\">next six years</a>, IDOT is planning to improve 7,107 lane miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. <a href=\"https://idot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/90fafc6f3acc49cfa4577104115c43a0\">Accomplishments</a> through Year Six of Rebuild Illinois include almost $20.8 billion of improvements statewide to 21,309 lane miles of highway, 815 bridges and 1,181 additional safety improvements. </p><p>For more information on IDOT projects, click <a href=\"https://idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/stay-connected/current-news-releases.html\">here</a>. Find traffic and road conditions at <a href=\"http://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/\">www.gettingaroundillinois.com</a>. You also can follow IDOT on <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisDepartmentofTransportation/\">Facebook</a> and <a href=\"https://twitter.com/IDOT_Illinois\">X</a>. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: center\"># # #</p><p> </p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-731a8937-5f6e-4022-b5bf-218c83a8be4f\">\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Maria Castaneda</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">IDOT</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:maria.c.castaneda@illinois.gov\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"maria.c.castaneda@illinois.gov\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>maria.c.castaneda@illinois.gov</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:(312) 447-1919\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"(312) 447-1919\"><svg class=\"icon icon-mobile release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-mobile\"></use>\n            </svg>(312) 447-1919</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-150d422d-bcfc-4536-acf6-f3e0f228f70e\">\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Guy Tridgell</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">IDOT</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:guy.tridgell@illinois.gov\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"guy.tridgell@illinois.gov\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>guy.tridgell@illinois.gov</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:(312) 343-1731\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"(312) 343-1731\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>(312) 343-1731</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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    "contacts": [
        {
            "name": "Maria Castaneda",
            "company": "IDOT",
            "description": null,
            "email": "maria.c.castaneda@illinois.gov",
            "website": null,
            "address": null,
            "telephone": null,
            "mobile": "(312) 447-1919",
            "twitter": null,
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        },
        {
            "name": "Guy Tridgell",
            "company": "IDOT",
            "description": null,
            "email": "guy.tridgell@illinois.gov",
            "website": null,
            "address": null,
            "telephone": "(312) 343-1731",
            "mobile": null,
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        }
    ],
    "author": {
        "first_name": "IDOT",
        "last_name": "Communications"
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