UPDATE 5/4/26: Illinois 23 construction in Ottawa begins March 23
UPDATE 5/4/26: There will be a stage change starting Thursday, May 7 at the bridge crossing Interstate 80. Northbound Illinois 23 traffic will shift across temporary pavement into the southbound lanes at the bridge before returning to the northbound lanes.
One lane will be open in each direction in the southbound lanes. The new configuration is necessary to start work on the northbound lanes of the bridge over I-80.
OTTAWA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that weather permitting, work will begin on Illinois 23 bridge over Interstate 80 in Ottawa on Monday, March 23.
Work will repair the bridge deck and will include the replacement of expansion joints and the application of a latex overlay. Also, there will be pavement patching between Stevenson Road and Etna Road. There will be one lane open in each direction and all traffic will be shifted to one side of the bridge. Lanes will have a 9-foot, 6-inch width restriction and vehicle length restrictions will be reduced to 70 feet for tight turning movements.
Pavement patching between Stevenson Road and Etna Road will take approximately two to three weeks, and patching near the I-80 entrance and exit ramps will be completed during the off-peak traffic times between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. This $1.8 million project is expected to be completed in October.
Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zone areas, 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 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. Accomplishments 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.
For IDOT District 3 updates on X, follow us at @IDOTDistrict3. View area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map at www.GettingAroundIllinois.com.
Kristophere’ Owens
Paul Wappel
