Illinois Department of Transportation issued the following announcement on Sept. 15.
The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that multiple projects in the Springfield area are underway or completed. The five projects represent a total investment of more than $54 million for the region, with more than $30 million coming from Gov. JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital program.
"With the Rebuild Illinois capital plan, Illinois isn't just making temporary repairs and patching up existing infrastructure, it's investing for the future," said Gov. Pritzker. "Rebuild Illinois is the beginning of an effort to improve and replace roads and bridges and provide jobs in the Springfield area and across the entire state. By undertaking these five projects, IDOT will ultimately create safer roads and bridges for the Springfield community."
Four of the five projects are ongoing, with one already completed:
• Interstate 55 resurfacing and bridge improvements from just south of Toronto Road to north of Glenarm and East Lake Shore Drive from west of Hunt Road to north of Chatham Road began in July and are scheduled for completion next June. Lane closures are necessary for the completion of the project, however, two lanes of I-55 in each direction will remain open during daytime hours.
• Four bridge painting projects along I-55 began in June and are scheduled for completion in October. Lane closures are necessary for the completion of the project, however, one lane will be open in each direction at all times.
• Two bridge improvement projects along Interstate 72 between Curran and Illinois 4 began in May and are scheduled for completion in November 2021. Lane closures are necessary for the completion of the project, however, one lane will remain open in each direction at all times.
• Replacement of the railroad bridges, including adding a second set of tracks, over Fifth and Sixth streets between Stanford Avenue and Ash Street began in November 2019 and are scheduled for completion in June 2022. The improvements are part of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project. Lane closures are necessary for the completion of the project. There will be two weeks where a full closure of Fifth and Sixth streets will occur.
• The northbound bridge improvement over the South Fork Sangamon River on Illinois 29 was completed in August.
Motorists can expect delays and should allow for extra time when traveling through these and all other work zones. Drivers are urged to pay attention to changed conditions and signs, watch for traffic signals, be aware of width restrictions, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.
"Across the nation, highway construction and maintenance continue as essential infrastructure activities. Illinois is no different," said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. "These projects represent a significant investment in the Springfield area that will improve safety, mobility and create economic opportunity for years to come. Please, slow down and pay extra attention driving in and around any work zone."
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Year One included approximately $2.7 billion of improvements statewide on 1,706 miles of highway, 128 bridges and 228 additional safety improvements.
For news on these and other projects in IDOT's District 6, follow @IDOTDistrict6 on Twitter or sign up to receive email alerts from IDOT in Motion. For traffic and road conditions, please go to www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook.
Original source can be found here.
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