Work underway on next phase of I-39 in Cherry Valley

CHERRY VALLEY – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that a multiyear project is underway to improve Interstate 39 between Mulford Road and Harrison Avenue in Cherry Valley. Work will begin with pre-stage widening along both directions of I-39.

Two lanes will be open in both directions during the work, with nightly lane closures when needed. This pre-stage construction is expected to be completed by Nov. 21.

Work on the $125.9 million project will resume in spring 2026 with earthwork to rebuild the road and expand I-39 from four to six lanes in each direction, including an accessory lane. Bridges will be rebuilt and expanded over Harrison Avenue/U.S. 20, the Union Pacific railroad and the Canadian National railroad. Two lanes will be open in both directions throughout the project and will include multiple stages and traffic shifts. This project is expected to be completed in October 2028.

The I-39 work is part of a larger multiyear, $302.4 million project made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program to improve I-39 between the U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange and Blackhawk Road. A $98.8 million project was completed in 2024 that reconstructed the I-39 and U.S. 20 interchange.

Another major project is the $44.3 million conversion of the Harrison Avenue/U.S. 20 and I-39 interchange from a cloverleaf to a diverging diamond design. Construction began in 2024, and the majority of the project is scheduled to be substantially complete by the end of the year, with some final touch-up work to be completed in spring 2026.

The final project will expand U.S. 20 from four to six lanes at the intersection of Mill Road and replace the bridges crossing the Kishwaukee River in Cherry Valley. All projects are anticipated to conclude by the end of 2028. More information about the I-39 reconstruction project is available on the project webpage.

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 more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 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 Six of Rebuild Illinois include almost $20.8 billion of improvements statewide on 7,897 miles of highway, 815 bridges and 1,181 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.