Illinois 50, Armour Road project in Bradley complete

BRADLEY – Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi joined state and local officials today to announce the completion of a modernized intersection at Illinois 50 (Bradley Boulevard) and Armour Road, a $13.8 million project to improve connections, mobility and safety in an area surrounded by shops, hotels and Kankakee County’s largest employer in CSL Behring. The final step in a series of improvements to address longtime community safety and congestion concerns, the project was made possible through Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois program. 

“This project is yet another example of IDOT under Gov. Pritzker working closely with our local partners, delivering solutions to create jobs and economic opportunity,” said Secretary Biagi. “These improvements truly were a team effort in one of our state’s great communities, resulting in an easier and safer experience for everyone working, shopping and traveling through the area.” ​ ​ 

In 2023, Gov. Pritzker joined IDOT to break ground on the centerpiece of the improvements: widening and resurfacing the intersection of Illinois 50 and Armour Road to include dedicated turn lanes. Other improvements included new storm sewers, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, lighting, traffic signals, landscaping, and a path to make the area safer and more accessible for people who walk, bike and roll. ​ 

Just west of the intersection, the four-way stop at Armour Road and Arthur Burch Drive/Pharmaceutical Drive was replaced with a traffic signal to help eliminate chronic backups at the former main entrance into CSL Behring, a pharmaceutical manufacturer on a 138-acre campus. ​ 

Construction was substantially completed in July, with some minor work remaining. ​ 

Previous work included converting a three-legged intersection on Illinois 50 into a four-legged intersection in 2020, with the new leg becoming the new main entrance to CSL Behring. Also, the Armour Road bridge over the Canadian National railroad was completed in 2024, a $5.9 million project that included a new pedestrian and bike path connecting Bourbonnais and Bradley that enhances mobility options throughout the two communities. ​ 

“If you’ve lived in Kankakee County as long as I have, you know this is one of the busiest intersections in Bradley, and maybe even the entire county,” said state Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex). “It was frustrating at times trying to navigate the traffic, but now the wait has paid off for the residents of Bradley and Bourbonnais, as well as the workers of CSL Behring.” 

“Congratulations to the Illinois Department of Transportation on the completion of this intersection,” said Assistant House Majority Leader Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee). “This was a major infrastructure improvement project that will increase the quality of life for local residents and businesses.” ​ 

The projects are part of many road and bridge improvements in the region made possible by Rebuild Illinois. 

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 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 on 7,897 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. 

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