I-74 bridge projects begin June 10, 17

BRIMFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced two bridge construction projects along Interstate 74 that will begin this month: County Highway 18 over I-74 about 8.5 miles west of Brimfield in Knox County on June 10 and Illinois 78 over I-74 about 4 miles west of Brimfield in Peoria County on June 17.

The projects involve removal and replacement of the existing bridge decks, safety updates, new approach pavements along with other work necessary to complete the projects. CH 18 will be closed with a detour posted, and Illinois 78 will be reduced to one lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals. I-74 also will be reduced to one lane in each direction at both work zones.

CH 18 is expected to reopen by Oct. 1, with all other construction finished by December.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 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 Four of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges and 762 additional safety improvements.

For more information on IDOT projects, click here. For IDOT District 4 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict4 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com and www.gettingaroundpeoria.com.