Rebuilding Champaign-Urbana:
Interstate projects highlight another historic construction season
Gov. Pritzker’s capital program modernizing infrastructure throughout region and Illinois
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA – Entering one of its busiest construction seasons ever, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that major projects in the Champaign-Urbana area are planned or underway, fueled by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. Ten major projects combined represent a total investment of close to $411 million, improving safety and mobility while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region.
“Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in the Champaign-Urbana area and throughout the state,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Through the largest capital program in state history, IDOT will be delivering improvements to build a more resilient, accessible and equitable system of transportation for generations to come, while creating jobs and enhancing local quality of life.”
Of the 10 major projects in the Champaign area, six are scheduled to be completed in 2024 with three anticipated to wrap up in 2025, and one going into 2026.
- I-57 from south of Norfolk Southern Railroad to Olympian Drive and I-74 from Duncan Road to Prospect Avenue construction of four ramps and eastbound-to-westbound and westbound-to-southbound flyover structures are taking shape, with continued I-74 resurfacing. Work began in 2021, with estimated completion in late 2025. Expect two lanes open on I-74/57 in both directions with temporary overnight and changing ramp closures.
- I-74 west of Danville to the Vermilion River in Danville includes repair and reconstruction of bridges with deck overlay and resurfacing work. The project began in 2022 and is anticipated to be completed this November. Expect continual lane reductions.
- Bridge ramps over I-74 in Urbana deck resurfacing began in April and is estimated to be completed in August. Westbound I-74 westbound entrance and exit ramps are closed with one lane closed on I-74.
- Bridges over U.S. 45 at Pesotum bridge replacement started in April and is anticipated to be completed in November. Expect lane closures with occasional overnight closures of U.S. 45 to allow for beam removal and placement.
- County Highway 17 over I-57, 2 miles east of Sadorus bridge replacement began in April and is anticipated to be completed in November. Sadorus Road is closed for the duration of the project with periodic lane closures on I-57.
- Illinois 9 in Bloomington includes resurfacing, patching, ADA improvements and traffic signal replacement. Construction began in May and is anticipated to be completed in 2025. Expect one lane in each direction throughout the summer.
- Bridge Street over I-72, west of Monticello bridge replacement began in April and is anticipated to be completed in December. Expect lane closures, occasional overnight full closures of I-72 to allow for beam removal and placement.
- I-72 over I-57 bridge in Champaign bridge replacement is anticipated to begin in August and completed in late 2026. Expect crossovers to be utilized to maintain traffic on I-72 with occasional overnight lane closures on I-57.
- U.S. 45 from Springfield Avenue to Curtis Road in Champaign resurfacing is anticipated to begin in August and completed in late 2025. Expect periodic lane closures with overnight lane closures for paving.
- Springfield Avenue at Copper Slough, east of Duncan Road in Champaign bridge and box culvert replacement begins in June and is anticipated to be completed in December. Springfield Avenue is closed with detours.
“Fixing the roads in our area is crucial for making travel safer and more efficient for everyone,” said state Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). “It helps local businesses, creates jobs and just makes life easier for all of us. This is the kind of investment that benefits everyone.”
“We know transportation infrastructure is something businesses look at when they are considering an expansion or relocation,” said state Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). “The Rebuild Illinois program is making key investments in our part of the state, setting up a solid environment for our local economy to thrive.”
“As the nation's transportation hub, it’s about time we roll up our sleeves and dedicate ourselves to improving our Illinois highway network and roadways, which are enjoyed by millions of Illinoisans and out-of-state residents each year,” said state Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana). “No one should have to think twice about if they’re going to make it to their destination safely. I’m working to fix this by supporting Rebuild Illinois, which pours tens of millions in the Champaign-Urbana area to expand and improve our roadways to efficiently connect our downstream communities to the centricity of our urban areas and vice versa. This common-sense plan will create hundreds of jobs and develop much-needed infrastructure in our corner of the state. I’m proud my community will see much-needed relief in major bridge work, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, and improved safety measures across the board to ensure the safety of all drivers and motorists.”
"I have been watching the tremendous progress of the I-57/74 Interchange and I am excited knowing that upon completion that work will have a meaningful safety impact for our residents and those traveling in our area,” said Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen. “I also know that this project continues to provide good paying jobs and opportunities for job training in conjunction with Parkland Community College. Rebuild Illinois has been transformative in the State and here in our local community.”
“Urbana-Champaign sits at the crossroads of three interstate highways. Through the Rebuild Illinois projects, we are making a critical investment in safety, function, and job opportunities,” said City of Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin.
Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is investing a total of $33.2 billion over six years into the state’s aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history, but also the first that touches all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.
Accomplishments through March 31 of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $14.8 billion of improvements statewide on 6,078 miles of highways, 629 bridges and 895 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state.
“Under Gov. Pritzker, IDOT continues to deliver projects in the Champaign-Urbana area that strengthen the state’s entire multimodal system of transportation,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “If you are traveling anywhere in Illinois this construction season, you will be traveling through work zones. Put down the devices. Follow the signs. And when you see orange, slow down and save lives.”
Champaign-Urbana 2024 RBI Map.pdf
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Paul Wappel
Kimberly Hoskins