I-80 work in Henry County begins March 17

DIXON – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that weather permitting, construction on 5.7 miles of Interstate 80 in Henry County will begin Monday, March 17. The work zone is from the Rock River to south of U.S. 6.

Work includes removing and replacing the bridge decks on multiple structures, including over the Rock River and over Cleveland Road in Colona. Other bridges will be repaired within the work zone, and those improvements will include pavement patching and resurfacing of I-80 in the work zone.

The project will be done in two stages. Stage one will shift one lane of traffic onto the eastbound lanes in a head-to-head configuration as improvements are made to the westbound lanes and structures. Also, the Colona interchange (Exit 7) will be closed for westbound traffic during this time.

Stage one is expected to be completed in November and all lanes will be open during the winter. Stage two will begin in spring 2026 with all traffic being switched to the westbound lanes as improvements are made to the eastbound lanes. The $24.5 million project is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area and be prepared for slow and stopped traffic. 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 Five of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $16 billion of improvements statewide on 6,541 miles of highway, 686 bridges and 986 additional safety improvements.

For IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.