JOLIET — Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) joined local leaders to celebrate the construction of new Interstate 80 (I-80) bridges over the Des Plaines River. The project, which began earlier this month, marks the final phase of the $1.3 billion multiyear I-80 rehabilitation and modernization, a key piece of Governor Pritzker’s historic Rebuild Illinois capital program. This year, on the I-80 corridor 13 miles of additional lanes, reconstructed interchanges, safety upgrades and capacity improvements will be completed.
“Illinois has undertaken a full-scale revitalization of infrastructure systems across our state, and I’m proud to see the final phase of our vital I-80 corridor modernization project get underway,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In every corner of the state, Rebuild Illinois has put tens of thousands of people to work to transform our infrastructure and deliver real results for the People of Illinois.”
The new $164 million Des Plaines River bridges are the centerpieces and most complex elements of the overall I-80 improvements, currently IDOT’s largest active project. Originally built in the 1960s, the existing bridges will be replaced with two wider, concrete structures 300 feet to the north. The new bridges are expected to be completed in 2028, with the old bridges demolished in 2029.
“The start of construction on these bridges represents not just another huge milestone for I-80, but more jobs, improved safety, and enhanced quality of life for the region and the state,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “A project of this magnitude would not have been possible without Governor Pritzker’s leadership and vision. We are proud to start on this last piece and look forward to delivering a modern, safer, reliable I-80.” \u200b
The overall I-80 transformation project is redesigning and rebuilding 16 miles from Ridge Road in Minooka to U.S. 30 in Joliet and New Lenox. Rebuilt and improved interchanges will be at I-55, Larkin Avenue, Center Street, Chicago Street, Richards Street and Briggs Street. More than 30 bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced, including the twin Des Plaines River bridges.
“This milestone represents significant progress on one of the most important infrastructure investments in our region,” said Joliet MayorTerry D'Arcy. “The reconstruction of the Des Plaines River bridge and surrounding I-80 corridor will strengthen a critical transportation route that serves residents, businesses, and commerce throughout the country. We appreciate the continued partnership and commitment from Governor Pritzker, IDOT, and everyone working to bring this project to completion.”
A critical east-west corridor, I-80 connects Illinois to the rest of the nation as one of the country’s three coast-to-coast highways. Through Joliet, I-80 carries approximately 80,000 vehicles a day, about 25% of which are trucks. The interstate also serves as the backbone of a booming freight and logistics economy, with 90,000 jobs tied to transportation and related industries in the region, according to the Will County Center for Economic Development. The value of freight passing through Will County is well over $600 billion annually. By the end of 2026, the project team will have completed approximately 80% of the I-80 corridor improvements.
Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has prioritized Illinois’ infrastructure improvements after years of previous neglect and disrepair. Over the next six years, the State plans to improve more than 7,107 lane miles of highway and nearly 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois. So far, improvements have been made statewide on 23,081 lane miles of highway, 920 bridges and 1,391 additional safety improvements.
“I’ve crossed this bridge countless times in my life. I am thrilled to see this work ready to begin. Residents have known these changes are needed for a while now, and the new bridge will offer increased efficiency, safety, and reliability,” said State Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet). “I am proud to see our state recognize the importance of this area’s potential and will continue to advocate for more improvements in the future.”
“Proper infrastructure is needed to ensure that our residents can get around safely,” said State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “The updated bridge will benefit Joliet and the surrounding areas in many ways, from making traffic more efficient to improving safety to bringing more jobs. This is a major project that will benefit the area immensely.”
“This is a critical travel corridor for our region, and this new bridge and I-80 reconstruction are important projects creating jobs, attracting investment and most importantly, making our roads safer for drivers,” said State Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet). “We’re developing a modern transportation hub that will benefit our local communities for decades to come. I appreciate the years of hard work put into this on the state and local level.”
“The new I-80 bridge is the centerpiece of this reconstruction effort, and I appreciate the hard work from our local builders who are out here every day,” said State Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr. (D-Elwood). “This community is at the crossroads of critical transportation corridors that impact our entire nation, and we need to continue to make smart investments that support jobs and strengthen local development for years to come.”
"This new construction endeavor on I-80 is a great necessity that will allow our highways to improve traffic and enable hardworking people get where they need to go faster and safer,” said State Rep. Dagmara Avelar (D-Bolingbrook). “I am proud that Illinois is working to fix our highways and make them more accessible while creating job opportunities and strengthening local communities and developments.”
“The I-80 rehabilitation and modernization project will be transformational for Will County and the region once completed,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “This historic investment will improve local access, create a safer corridor, and reduce congestion for residents and commuters. I appreciate the prioritization of this project by Governor Pritzker and IDOT.”
“Today’s announcement marks another major milestone for Illinois workers and communities,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea. “The start of construction on the Des Plaines River bridge reminds us that Illinois is at its best when we invest in a highly trained, union-represented workforce to deliver critical infrastructure improvements that Illinoisans rely on every day. Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for putting working families first. This investment will strengthen our workforce, support a thriving middle class, and ensure the economic benefits of this project stay right here in the region. Together, we’re building a stronger Illinois.”
As the final piece of the I-80 modernization gets underway, relief will be coming soon along the remainder of the project corridor. By the end of this year, a new, third lane will open in each direction on the 13 miles from Ridge Road to Illinois 7 (Larkin Avenue) and from Richards Street to U.S. 30. Newly rebuilt interchanges at I-55, Larkin Avenue and Briggs Street will be complete, including a new flyover ramp carrying southbound I-55 to eastbound I-80, improving safety and traffic flow.
Visit I80will.org for updates on project progress. See the Des Plaines River Bridges rendering and the project map below for additional information on the I-80 corridor modernization.
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