April 19, 2024
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A look at road projects set for La Salle, Bureau, Putnam counties in the next 5 years

Route 170 in Seneca slated for reconstruction project

By Derek Barichello

Over the past summer, the Interstate 80 bridge over the Little Vermilion River has been replaced. The Interstate 80 bridge over the Fox River near Ottawa is expected to receive $3.5 million in repairs between 2022-2027 as part of the state's five-year road plan. (Scott Anderson)

Illinois figures to spend $3.45 billion annually in the next five years on state and local highways.

About $915 million of that is expected to be spent in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s District 3, which includes La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties.

One major project alone is slated for Interstate 80 through Bureau County. A 9.5-mile resurfacing project is planned from the Henry County line to Route 40, including bridge replacements and repairs at a total of $21 million of planned work.

Route 170 in Seneca is slated for significant construction. A reconstruction of the highway is planned from the CSX railroad crossing to South Street. The project is expected to cost $9 million. It also includes a phase 2, which involves $2 million for land acquisition and another $1 million in engineering. Route 170 also is planned to be resurfaced on a 15.8 mile stretch from River Road to Route 17 at a cost of $7.7 million.

Interstate 80 will be resurfaced on a five-mile stretch between Route 89 and Route 251 at a cost of $10.9 million and a four-mile stretch between Route 351 and Route 178 (including bridge and culvert repairs) at a cost of $10 million. The Interstate 80 bridge over the Fox River near Ottawa also is expected to receive $3.5 million in repairs.

I-80 Construction/Crash Traffic crosses the Interstate 80 bridge over the Little Vermilion River bridge while it is under construction. There are a number of bridge replacements scheduled for La Salle, Putnam and Bureau counties in the state's five-year road construction plan. (Scott Anderson)

On Interstate 39, an 8.5 mile stretch from the Marshall County line to north of Tonica is expected to be resurfaced at a cost of $16 million.

The Interstate 39 bridge over Tomahawk Creek, north of Interstate 80, also will be repaired at a cost of $700,000.

On Interstate 180, two bridge replacements are planned: one over Bureau Creek for $6.4 million and another over the Tiskilwa Bottom Road at $3.5 million.

Workers with Civil Constructors Inc of Freeport, replace the decking on the westbound lane of the Interstate 180 bridge in Hennepin on Wednesday June 9, 2021. Two other bridges are slated to be repaired in the next five years on Interstate 180. (Scott Anderson)

Bridge replacements are planned on U.S. 6 over the Fox River in Ottawa, U.S. 6 over North Kickapoo Creek, U.S. 34 over Sutphens Run, U.S. 34 over Indian Creek, U.S. 52 over the Fox River, U.S. 52 over Mission Creek, Route 23 over Covel Creek and Water Street/North 4550th Road over Indian Creek in Earlville.

Resurfacing is planned along stretches of U.S. 34 from LaMoille to the La Salle County line, U.S. 34 from Interstate 39 to Earlville, U.S. 34 on a four-mile portion where it aligns with Route 23, U.S. 52 on an 8.7-mile stretch from Route 23 to Route 71 and U.S. 52 from Route 71 to Townhouse Road.

Resurfacing also is slated for:

  • Route 18 from Route 89 to Route 251, from East 16th Road to Route 17 and Third Avenue in Streator to Park Street in Streator.
  • Route 23 from U.S. 52 to Interstate 80.
  • Route 29 on a three-mile stretch from DePue to Spring Valley.
  • Route 89 from U.S. 34 to Plank Road.

ADA improvements are planned for:

  • U.S. 6 from Peru Street to Sterling Street.
  • Route 23 from Oakley Avenue in Streator to Bridge Street in Streator.
  • Route 351 from 24th Street to Fifth Street and First Street to U.S. 6 in La Salle.

The majority of work is scheduled for 2023-2027.