The Illinois Department of Transportation is moving forward with eight major road and bridge projects representing a combined investment of $119 million in Iroquois and Ford counties and along the Interstate 57 corridor.
The projects are being delivered through the Rebuild Illinois capital program and include bridge replacements, bridge deck work, resurfacing, pavement repairs, drainage improvements, shoulder widening and rest area improvements.
The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that three of the projects are scheduled for completion in 2026, another is scheduled to begin this year, and four more are expected to get underway in 2027.
Eight Major Transportation Projects
The $119 million construction program includes the following projects:
I-57 at the Illinois 54 Interchange in Onarga
Bridge deck replacement work began in fall 2025 and is expected to be completed this fall. One lane of traffic is being maintained in each direction during construction.
I-57 over Louis Creek
The existing bridge is being replaced. Construction began in summer 2025 and is expected to be completed this summer. One lane remains open in each direction.
I-57 from the Ford County Line to the Buckley Interchange
This project includes pavement patching and resurfacing, bridge repairs and rest area improvements. Work began in fall 2025 and is expected to wrap up this fall. One lane is open in each direction during construction.
I-57 from Sugar Creek to Prairie Creek
Bridge repairs are planned along this section of I-57, along with repairs to various structures carrying U.S. 24 and Township Roads 155 and 58A across the interstate.
Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and continue through fall 2028. One lane of I-57 traffic will be maintained in each direction using temporary crossovers. Lane closures on bridges crossing I-57 will be controlled by temporary traffic signals.
I-57 over the Big Four Ditch
A bridge replacement is scheduled to begin this summer and is expected to be completed in fall 2027. One lane will be maintained in each direction using temporary crossovers.
I-57 from the Clifton Interchange to the Kankakee County Line
Resurfacing and bridge repairs are expected to begin in summer 2027 and continue through fall 2028. Motorists should expect lane closures during construction.
Danforth Road over I-57
A bridge deck replacement is expected to begin in summer 2027. Specific traffic impacts are still being determined.
U.S. 45 from U.S. 24 to Illinois 54
This project will include resurfacing, drainage upgrades and shoulder widening. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2027 and be completed in fall 2027. Daily lane closures are anticipated.
Extensive Bridge Work Along I-57
Bridge construction represents a significant portion of the planned investment.
Projects range from full bridge replacements at Louis Creek and Big Four Ditch to deck replacement at the Illinois 54 interchange and Danforth Road. Additional bridge repairs are planned between Sugar Creek and Prairie Creek and between the Clifton interchange and the Kankakee County line.
Maintaining traffic will be an important component of the work. Several projects will use temporary crossovers so construction can proceed while keeping one lane open in each direction.
Roadway, Drainage and Rest Area Improvements
The program also includes significant roadway work.
The section of I-57 between the Ford County line and Buckley interchange combines patching and resurfacing with bridge repairs and improvements to the rest area.
On U.S. 45, contractors will complete resurfacing along with drainage upgrades and shoulder widening between U.S. 24 and Illinois 54.
These projects will require coordination among roadway, drainage, bridge and traffic-control contractors as work progresses along active transportation corridors.
Construction Trades Involved
The eight projects could provide opportunities for contractors, subcontractors and suppliers specializing in:
- Highway and roadway construction
- Bridge construction and rehabilitation
- Bridge deck replacement and repair
- Asphalt milling and paving
- Concrete construction and repair
- Excavation and earthwork
- Structural steel and reinforcing steel
- Drainage and stormwater improvements
- Shoulder widening
- Pavement patching
- Guardrail and roadside safety systems
- Traffic signals and electrical work
- Temporary traffic control and signage
- Pavement striping and roadway markings
- Rest area improvements
- Material hauling and construction trucking
Temporary crossover construction and traffic management will be especially important on the I-57 projects where lanes must remain open while bridge and roadway work proceeds.
Rebuild Illinois Continues Statewide Infrastructure Investment
Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois represents a $33.2 billion investment in the state's transportation system. The program covers roads and bridges as well as transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Through Year Seven, Rebuild Illinois has delivered $25.6 billion in improvements covering 24,498 lane miles of highway, 959 bridges and 1,475 additional safety improvements statewide.
For contractors and suppliers serving Iroquois and Ford counties, the current $119 million program provides a pipeline of work extending through 2028. With bridge replacements, deck rehabilitation, resurfacing, drainage work and other highway improvements scheduled across the region, construction opportunities will continue as existing projects are completed and the next group moves into the field.
Judy Lamelza
Editor-in-Chief