CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – In the midst of one of the busiest construction seasons of the year, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is delivering several major projects in the CU, fueled by Governor JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. Five major projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $298.2 million, improving safety and mobility while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the area.

“Through Rebuild Illinois, we are making good on our promise to restore and transform our state’s infrastructure while promoting economic growth,” Pritzker said via a press release. “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.”

There are five major projects coming to Champaign-Urbana, with one scheduled for completion in 2025 and the rest wrapping up in 2026.
The projects are as followed:

  • Interstate 57/74 interchange: Reconstruction from south of the Norfolk Southern Railroad to Olympian Drive and I-74 from Duncan Road to Prospect Avenue continues. Construction on the eastbound-to-westbound flyover started in 2022 and is estimated to be complete in 2026. The westbound-to-southbound flyover started in 2021 and is due for completion by this winter. Impacts to traffic can be found at idot.click/i57-i74-project.
  • Old Illinois 49 over I-72 at White Heath: Replacement for the bridge began in March 2025 and is anticipated to be completed this winter as well. Occasional lane closures on I-72 are expected.
  • I-72 over I-57 bridge in Champaign: Replacement for the bridge began in 2024 and is anticipated to be complete in the winter of 2026. Crossover traffic on I-72 with occasional nighttime lane closures on I-57 are expected.
  • U.S. 45 from Springfield Avenue to Curtis Road: Work to resurface the road began in June and is due for completion in fall of 2026. Occasional nighttime lane closure can be expected.
  • I-72 over the Norfolk Southern Railroad near Monticello: A bridge replacement begins in September and is anticipated to be complete in late 2026. Single lane traffic is expected for the rest of the year.

“The hyperlocal projects Rebuild Illinois has taken on in Champaign-Urbana are a prime example of how investments in our roads and infrastructure can uplift whole communities,” Representative Carol Ammons said. “This near $300 million investment means safer roads for school bus drivers and everyday commuters, safer bridges for outside residents to be connected to our community and safer transportation for our countless college students, families and small businesses who call C-U home. I’m pleased to see our public dollars put to work to improve the mobility of our neighborhoods.”

“The state’s major investment in Champaign’s transportation system is critical to making sure our residents and visitors can get around safely and efficiently,” said Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen. “At the crossroads of three interstates, Champaign sees a lot of truck traffic that will soon be able to get to its destinations more safely while boosting our local and state economies. And as the home of the state’s flagship University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, students, researchers and visitors from around the world will also be able to get around more quickly and safely thanks to the improved transportation network in and around Champaign.”

“I commend the Illinois Department of Transportation and Gov. Pritzker for their commitment to residents of our region and state through the Rebuild Illinois program,” said Urbana Mayor DeShawn B. Williams. “This nearly $300 million investment will significantly enhance the safety and mobility of our transportation infrastructure while fostering economic growth and providing quality employment opportunities. Together, we are building a stronger and more prosperous Urbana-Champaign for the future.”

The program was passed in 2019, and Rebuild Illinois is investing a total of $33.2 billion over six years into the state’s aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history, but also the first that touches all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

Accomplishments through March 31 of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $14.8 billion of improvements statewide on 6,078 miles of highways, 629 bridges and 895 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state.