U.S. 6/Illinois 71 work in Ottawa begins Oct. 5

OTTAWA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that weather permitting, a multiyear project on U.S. 6/Illinois 71 (Norris Drive) in Ottawa will begin Monday, Oct. 5. The work zone will be from Champlain Street to the U.S. 6/Illinois 71 split south of Interstate 80.

The project’s initial phase will mill and resurface Norris Drive from east of the Fox River to the U.S. 6/Illinois 71 split. One lane will be open in each direction during this phase and work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Work in spring 2027 will demolish the current bridge and replace it with a new structure that includes a multipurpose path and a sidewalk. One lane of traffic in each direction will use one half of the bridge while the other half is demolished and rebuilt. There also will be pedestrian access on the bridge. Pedestrian and vehicle traffic will later switch to the new bridge as the remaining half of the bridge is demolished and rebuilt. The $20.3 million project is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

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 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.

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.