Traffic change at U.S. 20-Illinois 73 intersection in Lena begins Sept. 8

LENA - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that weather permitting, U.S. 20 traffic at its intersection with Illinois 73 will shift from the temporary runaround onto the newly constructed pavement beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The new stage marks a major milestone in the $11.8 million project that graded, replaced culverts, and added turn lanes on U.S. 20 at the intersection. However, Illinois 73 will remain closed to traffic and will continue to follow a posted detour of Galena Road, U.S. 20, Illinois 26 and Illinois 72.

Remaining work at the intersection includes removing the temporary runaround, finish building the Illinois 73 connections to U.S. 20 and installing lighting and traffic signals. Also, there will be temporary traffic signals near the Lena KOA Holiday Campground east of the intersection to allow workers to tie the new pavement into the existing road.

Illinois 73 is expected to reopen to traffic at the intersection by the end of October following the installation of the new traffic signals. The project, which includes improvements further east of the intersection to Rees Road, is expected to wrap up in early November.

Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zone areas, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve 7,107 lane miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Seven of Rebuild Illinois include $25.6 billion of improvements statewide to 24,498 lane miles of highway, 959 bridges and 1,475 additional safety improvements.

For IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT's traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com. ​