June 30, 2021

Meet the Secretary: Omer Osman Reflects on IDOT Journey

It’s been a long road for Omer Osman. Native of Sudan. Learned English by watching Westerns and soap operas. Graduate of a historically black university in the South. Father of three, ages 19, 17 and 15. Husband to a physician. History buff. Lifelong learner. Champion of diversity.   Now, he’s the 13th person to lead the Illinois Department of Transportation as its Secretary after being confirmed June 1. Osman was appointed to the position in 2019.   “Being a civil engineer, leading an agency like this is something you aspire to reach,” he said. “After 31 years here, I feel like I’m still learning. I still have the drive to know more. Just to be a part of putting together the overall puzzle is a tremendous honor.”   Read more about Secretary Osman’s thoughts about his job and life outside of IDOT.

Roundabout questions? Our new page has answers Modern roundabouts are becoming mainstream throughout Illinois. These circular intersections efficiently move traffic safely and economically. They also are better at reducing the chance of a crash compared to traditional traffic light-controlled intersections.   Visit our page to learn more about roundabouts.

District 4 continues to build the piers of the new eastbound McClugage Bridge in Peoria. Currently, 10 piers and one abutment are under construction.   On the Peoria side, one ramp is permanently closed and awaiting demolition to make way for the new bridge. Two additional Illinois 29/U.S. 150 interchange ramps have been reconfigured to accommodate overflow traffic from the closed ramp. In East Peoria, the embankment and new exit ramp at U.S. 150 and Illinois 116 has been built, as has the embankment for the new multi-use path. Final grading of this embankment is being performed as weather allows. The bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

In District 8, the U.S. 67 Delhi Bypass project is taking shape as pavement work continues on the new northbound lanes from just south of Delhi Road to Stagecoach Road. The overall multi-phase, $18.6 million project was made possible by Gov. Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program and will build a new road expanding U.S. 67 from two lanes to four lanes, beginning in Godfrey and progressing north 2.4 miles around Delhi. The project is expected to be complete in late 2022.

IDOT assisted several northern Illinois communities during two major June incidents. In District 2, the Roscoe Yard aided authorities in traffic control during a massive fire at the Chemtool plant in nearby Rockton. Crews erected barricades on Illinois 75 leading into Rockton. In District 1, crews assisted with clearing trees from roads in Chicago’s far western suburbs following a tornado.

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