Rebuilding Iroquois and Ford Counties: Construction season brings major improvements to region
Gov. Pritzker’s capital program modernizing infrastructure, enhancing quality of life
IROQUOIS AND FORD COUNTIES – Rebuild Illinois is continuing to improve mobility, safety and quality of life in Iroquois and Ford counties and along the Interstate 57 corridor, with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivering multiple major projects this construction season. Made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic capital program, eight projects represent a total investment of $119 million, creating and maintaining good-paying jobs throughout the region.
“The historic Rebuild Illinois program continues to transform our infrastructure and enhance key economic corridors across the state,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Our ambitious capital program is putting Illinoisans to work as we improve regional transportation systems, encourage new economic activity and build a better future for all of Illinois.”
Of the eight major projects in the Iroquois and Ford County areas, three are scheduled to be completed and one scheduled to begin in 2026 and four are scheduled to begin in 2027.
- I-57 at the Illinois 54 interchange in Onarga bridge deck replacement. Work began in fall 2025 and is expected to wrap up this fall . One lane of traffic is open in each direction.
- I-57 over Louis Creek bridge replacement. Work began in summer 2025 and is expected to be completed this summer. One lane of traffic is open in each direction.
- I-57 from the Ford County line to the Buckley interchange patching and resurfacing, bridge repairs and rest area improvements. Work began in fall 2025 and is expected to be completed this fall. One lane of traffic is open in each direction.
- I-57 from Sugar Creek to Prairie Creek bridge repairs and repairs to various structures on U.S. 24 and township roads 155 and 58A crossing I-57. Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and will wrap up in fall 2028. One lane on I-57 will be maintained in each direction utilizing temporary crossovers. There will be lane closures on bridges crossing I-57 controlled by temporary traffic signals.
- I-57 over the Big Four Ditch bridge replacement. Work is scheduled to begin this summer and is expected to be completed in fall 2027. One lane will be maintained in each direction utilizing temporary crossovers.
- I-57 from the Clifton interchange to the Kankakee County line resurfacing and bridge repairs. Work is expected to begin in summer 2027 and wrap up in fall 2028. Lane closures are expected.
- Danforth Road over I-57 bridge deck replacement. Work is expected to begin in summer 2027. Traffic impacts are still being determined.
- U.S. 45 from U.S. 24 to Illinois 54 resurfacing, drainage upgrades and shoulder widening. Work is expected to begin in summer 2027 and wrap up in fall 2027. Expect daily lane closures.
“I am very excited about these infrastructure improvements,” state Sen. Chris Balkema (R-Pontiac). “It is critical that Illinois continues to invest in our highways. I’m thankful that IDOT is driving these improvements and I look forward to seeing their results.”
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.
“Thanks to Gov. Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois, we are continuing to deliver transformational projects up and down the state,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “We look forward to another safe construction season that benefits the region for decades to come.”
Accomplishments through Year Seven of Rebuild Illinois include $25.6 billion of improvements statewide to 24,498 lane miles of highway, 959 bridges and 1,475 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state.
IroquoisCountyProjectMap_2026_Final_081026.pdf
PDF 265 KB
Kristophere’ Owens
Paul Wappel
