Rebuilding Southern Illinois: Construction season brings another round of major improvements to region
Gov. Pritzker’s capital program modernizing infrastructure, enhancing quality of life
CARBONDALE – Rebuild Illinois is continuing to improve mobility, safety and quality of life in Southern Illinois, with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivering multiple major projects this construction season. Made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic capital program, 12 projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $492 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 12 major projects in Southern Illinois, three are scheduled to be completed in 2026 and the remaining nine are anticipated to be completed from 2027 through 2028.
- Interstate 57, mileposts 75-85, expansion to six lanes and replacement of bridges over Marcum Branch and Gun Creek in Franklin County began in 2025 and are anticipated to be completed in 2028. Expect nighttime lane closures.
- I-57, mileposts 85-92, expansion to six lanes and replacement of structures over Dodds Creek in Jefferson County began in 2024 and are anticipated to be completed in 2027. Expect nighttime lane closures.
- I-57/64, Illinois 15 interchange reconstruction in Jefferson County began in 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in 2027. Expect nighttime lane closures.
- I-57, mileposts 45-53, expansion to six lanes began in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2027. Expect nighttime lane closures.
- I-24 bridge deck, resurfacing, and bridge painting on the Ohio River Bridge in Massac County began in 2025 and are anticipated to be completed in 2027. Expect traffic delays.
- I-64 from Washington County Line to I-57 near Mount Vernon in Jefferson County resurfacing and bridge work. The project began in 2023 and is anticipated to be completed this spring. Expect lane closures.
- Illinois 37 from Wildcat Drive south of Marion to Illinois 148 earthwork, drainage improvements, resurfacing, shoulder widening and construction of a roundabout at Wildcat Drive. The project began in 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in 2026. Expect lane closures and nighttime road closures.
- Illinois 13 from Spillway Road to Shawnee Trail in Williamson County pavement widening, resurfacing, traffic signals, bridge replacement over Crab Orchard Lake and a multiuse path. The project began in 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in 2028. Head-to-head traffic. Expect one lane in each direction.
- Illinois 154 over Rend Lake from Illinois 37 to Fitzgerell Park Road resurfacing, structure replacement and construction of a multiuse path. The project began in 2026 and is anticipated to be completed in 2027. Expect head-to-head traffic controlled by signals.
- I-57 bridge over the Mississippi River in Cairo painting of the entire structure. The project began in 2026 and is anticipated to be completed in 2027. Expect lane closures utilizing crossovers.
- Illinois 14 in Du Quoin from U.S. 51 to Old Route 14 resurfacing, shoulders and drainage work. The project is anticipated to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2026. Expect daytime lane closures controlled by flaggers.
- U.S. 51 over Canadian National/Illinois Central railroad north of Desoto bridge replacement. The project is anticipated to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027. Expect one-way traffic controlled by signals.
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 March 31 of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $24 billion of improvements statewide on 23,081 miles of highways, 920 bridges and 1,393 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state.
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Year Seven I-57 RBI Map.pdf
PDF 265 KB
Year Seven I-24 RBI Map.pdf
PDF 281 KB
Year Seven Southern Illinois RBI Map.pdf
PDF 413 KB
Dawn Johnson
Paul Wappel
