Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced several infrastructure projects in the east Lake County area as part of Year Five of the Rebuild Illinois initiative. This program, backed by Governor JB Pritzker's bipartisan capital program, aims to enhance safety, mobility, and quality of life while creating jobs in the region. The total investment for these seven major projects exceeds $41 million.

Governor Pritzker commented on the initiative, stating: "Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in the east Lake County area and throughout the state." He added that this effort would help build a more resilient transportation system for future generations.

The projects are set to be completed between 2023 and 2026. They include new lighting installation on Belvidere Road from O'Plaine Road to Skokie Highway in Waukegan, intersection reconstruction and traffic signal installation on Illinois 83 from Illinois 120 to Illinois 137 in Grayslake, and bridge deck installation on Washington Street at U.S. 41 over the Union Pacific Railroad in Park City and Gurnee.

Additional works involve resurfacing roads in Buffalo Grove, culvert repairs on Sheridan Road Over Two Creeks in Highland Park, traffic signal improvements at Illinois 120 at O'Plaine Road in Gurnee and Waukegan, and culvert repair on Illinois 137 over Bull Creek in Beach Park.

State Senator Adriane Johnson expressed her support: "From Waukegan to Buffalo Grove, Rebuild Illinois is renewing our communities with infrastructure improvements." State Representative Rita Mayfield also highlighted the program's impact on road safety: "Because of Rebuild Illinois, we are seeing real progress when it comes to the safety and quality of our roads."

Rebuild Illinois was launched in 2019 with a $33.2 billion budget allocated over six years for statewide transportation improvements. To date, approximately $12.1 billion has been spent on enhancing highways, bridges, and other transportation modes across Illinois.

Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman emphasized safe driving during construction: "If you are driving in Illinois this construction season... stay patient, drop the devices and slow down."

For updates on these projects or others within IDOT's District 1, follow their social media channels or sign up for email alerts.