Work on Illinois 2 and 40 in Sterling begins Sept. 21

STERLING – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that weather permitting, construction on Illinois 40 (Locust Street, First Avenue and East Second Street) in downtown Sterling and northbound Illinois 2 (East Second Street) from Locust Street to Fourth Avenue in Sterling will begin Monday, Sept. 21.

Work will include road patching, milling and resurfacing. There will be daily lane closures throughout the $2.3 million project, which is scheduled to wrap up by the end of November.

This work coincides with a project that is patching, milling and resurfacing southbound Illinois 2 (East Fourth Street) from 19th Avenue to southbound Illinois 40 (Locust Street). Most of the work in this $2.6 million project will be completed by the end of November, with minor work to be completed in early 2027.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area and be prepared for slow and stopped traffic. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, 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 2 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com. ​ ​ ​