Region 3, District 4: The rehabilitation of the Bob Michel Bridge carrying Illinois 40 over the Illinois River is scheduled to begin Monday, March 13, weather permitting. The bridge will remain closed to vehicular traffic until November, while staying open to bikes and pedestrians throughout construction.

The estimated $24.6 million project consists of removal of sidewalks, reducing the outside shoulders to 3.5 feet and consolidating the bike and pedestrian space to the north side of the bridge. The redesign will result in a 14-foot-wide multi-use path protected by a concrete barrier wall separating the path from cars and making it safer for all who share the bridge. The new bridge deck will include a concrete overlay and new joints to preserve and extend the life of the deck.

Visit https://www.bobmichelbridge.com/ for more information.

Region 4, District 7: A $50 million project is underway to reconstruct Interstate 70 from just east of I-57 to just east of the Cumberland/Effingham County line.

Initially, lane closures will occur in the westbound lanes during daytime hours for various operations including patching, striping and guardrail upgrades. Once those improvements are completed, barrier walls will be built with median crossovers, with all eastbound traffic diverted to the left westbound lane.

Additionally, the eastbound bridge over the Montrose Blacktop will be replaced. The eastbound Montrose on- and off-ramps will be closed while the crossovers are being utilized, and a marked state route detour will be in place. Construction on the I-70 westbound lanes and the replacement of the westbound bridge over the Montrose Blacktop will occur during the 2024 construction season.