Grundy County enters one of its busiest construction seasons ever

Grundy County is entering one of its busiest construction seasons as the Illinois Department of Transportation announced major planned projects fueled by the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.

Eighteen major projects represent a total investment of more than $103 million, improving safety and mobility while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region, according to a news release sent Tuesday.

“Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in the Grundy County area and throughout the state,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “Through the largest capital program in state history, IDOT will be delivering improvements to build a more resilient, accessible and equitable system of transportation for generations to come while creating jobs and enhancing local quality of life.”

Of the 18 major projects, one is complete, three are underway and scheduled to be completed this year, one is scheduled to begin this year, and four are scheduled to begin in 2025. The remaining nine are expected to start from 2026 to 2030.

The projects include:

• Route 6 at Ashley Road in Morris, minor surface correction and resurfacing of the turn lane, expected to begin this year
• Brown Road over Interstate 80, bridge replacement, set for FY 2026-2030
• Route 6 from Lakewood Drive to Route 47 in Morris, reconstruction and additional lanes, set for FY 2026-2030
• Route 6 from Route 47 to Nigas Road, resurfacing, set for FY 2026-2030
• Route 47 over Buchanan Street in Morris, bridge repairs, set for FY 2026-2030
• Route 47 over CSX Railroad in Morris, bridge repairs, set for FY 2026-2030
• I-80 at Canadian National Railroad east of Ridge Road in Minooka, bridge replacement, expected to begin in 2025
• Wabena Avenue over I-80, bridge repairs and installation of a bridge deck overlay, expected to begin in 2025
• Route 6 over Aux Sable Creek, bridge replacement, set for FY 2026-2030
• Route 47 (north) and Route 6 (east) intersection in Morris, intersection reconstruction, set for FY 2026-2030
• I-80 at Route 47 interchange in Morris, ramp patching, wrapped up at the end of May
• Route 17 over I-55 in Dwight, bridge replacement, will wrap up at the end of 2024. There will be periodic lane closures during the construction.
• I-55 from Route 47 to Gardner, resurfacing and bridge repairs, underway. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the project, which is expected to be completed at the end of the year.
• Township Road 155 over I-55 bridge, repairs and installation of a bridge deck overlay, underway and will wrap up this fall
• Township Road 110 over I-55 bridge, repairs and installation of a bridge deck overlay, set for FY 2026-2030
• Route 17 at over Reddick Run Creek, bridge replacement, set for FY 2026-2030
• Route 53 from I-55 to the Will County line, resurfacing, set for FY 2026-2030
• Route 129 from Route 53 to Carbon Hill Road, resurfacing, expected to begin in 2025

“Grundy County will continue to thrive with these crucial infrastructure improvements,” Grundy County Chairman Chris Balkema said. “Thanks to Gov. [JB] Pritzker and his administration, we’re creating jobs and investing in our community over the next six years – all while constructing a safer, stronger and more modern roadway system for our residents.”