Illinois Department of Transportation

06/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/26/2026 08:49

Rebuilding Metro East: Construction season brings another round of major improvements to region

COLLINSVILLE - Rebuild Illinois is continuing to improve mobility, safety and quality of life in the Metro East, with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivering multiple major projects this construction season. Made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic capital program, 23 projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $960 million, creating and maintaining good-paying jobs throughout the region. ​ ​

"The historic Rebuild Illinois program continues to transform our infrastructure and enhance key economic corridors across the state," said Gov. Pritzker. "Our ambitious capital program is putting Illinoisans to work as we improve regional transportation systems, encourage new economic activity, and build a better future for all of Illinois."

Of the 23 major projects in the Metro East, 13 are scheduled to be completed in 2026 and the remaining 10 are anticipated to be completed from 2027 through 2028. ​

  • Interstate 270 over Mississippi River bridge replacement. The project began in 2022, with the second bridge opening late this year and overall completion date in 2027. Expect two lanes of traffic to be maintained in each direction, with overnight closures. ​
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville North Access Road over the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge replacement. The project began in 2024 and is anticipated to be completed this summer. Expect one lane in each direction to be maintained.
  • Illinois 162/157 intersection relocation from the north junction of Illinois 157 to the south junction of Illinois 157. The project began this spring and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2027. Expect road closures and detours. ​
  • Illinois 3: Northgate Industrial Drive in Granite City to Broadway in Venice; McKinley Bridge approach: McKinley Bridge to Illinois 3 in Venice milling and resurfacing. The project began in 2025 and is anticipated to be completed this summer. Expect daily lane closures during off-peak hours.
  • I-55/70 from half-mile west of Black Lane to nearly half-mile east of Illinois 159, including the ramps at Black Lane, Illinois 157 and Illinois 159, resurfacing and bridge repairs. The project is anticipated to begin this summer and be completed fall of 2027. Expect full closures in specific directions lasting up to 24 days, as well as some off-peak lane closures before or after the full closures.
  • Illinois 3 at Delmar Avenue and Pierce Lane intersection conversions to roundabouts. The project is anticipated to begin this summer and be completed in summer 2028. Expect various lane restrictions with two-way traffic maintained.
  • Illinois 3 (Cedar Street) over the railroad yard at the former Army Depot bridge superstructure replacement. The project is anticipated to begin this fall and be completed in summer 2028. Expect one lane to remain open in each direction.
  • I-255 from St. Clair County line to I-270 resurfacing. The project is anticipated to begin this summer and be completed this fall. Expect single lane closures during the day and double lane closures at night.
  • Illinois 255 from just north of Seminary Road to U.S. 67 resurfacing. The project is anticipated to begin this fall and expected to be completed this fall.
  • Air Mobility Drive extension from Illinois 161 to Illinois 158/177 construction of new road. The project began in spring 2024 and is expected to be completed late fall. Lane restrictions on Illinois 161 should be anticipated. ​
  • I-55/70 over multiple railroads in East St. Louis bridge repairs. The project began in 2025 and is expected to be completed in summer 2028. Expect lane closures.
  • I-64 from west of Green Mount Road to a mile west of Illinois 158 widening, resurfacing, interchange improvements and bridge repairs. The project began in 2025 and is expected to be completed in summer 2027. Expect intermittent lane closures.
  • I-70 over I-55/64 and Kansas City Southern railroad in East St. Louis bridge repairs. The project will begin and be completed this summer. Expect westbound I-64 to westbound I-70 ramp closure for 45 days.
  • I-64 from Illinois 157 to Green Mount Road milling, resurfacing and bridge repairs. The project began in 2025 and is expected to be completed this fall. Expect lane closures.
  • I-55/70 from I-64 to Illinois 203 resurfacing, bridge repairs and lighting upgrades. The project began this spring and is expected to be completed in summer 2028. Expect lane closures.
  • I-64 from I-55 to I-255 bridge deck repairs. The project is anticipated to begin this summer. Expect overnight lane and ramp closures for deck patching. Nine-day closure of westbound I-64 also is anticipated.
  • Illinois 203 near Ohio Street (north of World Wide Technology Raceway) bridge replacement. The project is anticipated to begin this summer and expected to be completed in summer 2028. Expect night and weekend lane closures with flaggers.
  • Illinois 159 from just north of Fountains Parkway to north of Lincoln Trail milling and resurfacing. The project is anticipated to begin this fall. Expect night and weekend lane closures with flaggers.
  • Illinois 177 from County Road to Mine Road resurfacing. The project is anticipated to begin this summer. Expect daily lane closures with flaggers.
  • I-55/64 mainline bridges over Trendley Avenue, Illinois 3 ramps and Union Pacific railroad (Poplar Street Bridge complex) bridge deck repairs and overlay. The projects are anticipated to start and finish this fall. Expect two lanes of traffic to remain open.
  • I-64 at Silver Creek 1.8 miles east of Illinois 158 and Little Silver Creek 1.5 miles west of Illinois 4 bridge repairs. The project is anticipated to begin this fall and be completed in summer 2027. Expect one lane of traffic in both directions.
  • Illinois 160 from Wesclin Road to north city limits of New Baden resurfacing. The project is anticipated to begin this fall. Expect daily lane closures with flaggers.

"As a major crossroads for statewide and national travel, the Metro East deserves roads and bridges of the highest quality," said state Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea). "I am proud to see Illinois continue to make substantial financial investments in new and ongoing road projects for Madison and St. Clair County."

"Because of the work we've done in the General Assembly, IDOT is investing nearly $850 million in the Metro East - and that's just on projects that are currently running," said Assistant House Majority Leader Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). "That number alone cannot quantify the positive impact on families, communities and union labor involved with getting these projects out the door."

"Thousands of commuters use I-64 and I-55 to get where they need to go on a daily basis," said Assistant House Majority Leader Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). "Projects like this ensure a safer and smoother ride for years to come."

Passed in 2019, 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. ​ ​ ​

"Thanks to Gov. Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois, we are continuing to deliver transformational projects up and down the state," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. "We look forward to another safe construction season that benefits the region for decades to come." ​

Accomplishments through March 31 of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $24 billion of improvements statewide on 23,081 miles of highways, 920 bridges and 1,393 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state. ​

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Year Seven Madison County RBI Map.pdf

Year Seven St. Clair County RBI Map.pdf
Illinois Department of Transportation published this content on June 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 26, 2026 at 14:50 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]