The Illinois Department of Transportation announced it will invest nearly $351.1 million in nine major project in and around the Peoria area this fiscal year.
Part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, the DOT will tackle nine major road and bridge projects to improve safety and mobility while creating good-paying jobs through the region, officials said. The projects are part of an historically busy construction season.
“Through Rebuild Illinois, we are making good on our promise to restore and transform our state’s infrastructure while promoting economic growth,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. “This summer, IDOT will continue to build on years of progress by undertaking construction projects that will create safer roads and bridges and provide jobs across the state. Through these projects, we are demonstrating what government is supposed to do and that’s investing in the people and communities we serve.”
Five of the nine project are scheduled to be completed in 2025, and three are expected to be completed in 2026. The remaining project should be finished by 2027, officials said.
“The continued investment in Peoria’s infrastructure through Rebuild Illinois will improve daily life for local families,” Assistant state Senate Majority Leader David Koehler (D-Peoria Heights) said. “Safer roads, modernized bridges and reliable transportation networks not only provide reliable methods to get to and from work or school but also make certain the 46th District will continue to evolve with the economic growth in our region.”
The projects include the replacement of the Eastbound McClugage Bridge over the Illinois River that began in 2019 and is expected to be finished this fall, as well as the replacement of a bridge on Airport Road over I-474 that is also expected to be done this fall, and the widening, resurfacing, drainage and guardrail improvements along Illinois 180 from Illinois 167 to U.S. 150 which is expected to be finished in the fall of 2026.
“Investments in infrastructure allow us to meet the challenges of today and prepare us for the opportunities of tomorrow,” Assistant state House Majority Leader Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) said. “These are critical projects for our region that will make roads safer, support jobs and continue to transform our community. I’m excited to see another busy construction season.”