9 Major Infrastructure Projects Planned for Peoria

As part of one of its busiest construction seasons to date, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is leading nine major infrastructure projects in the Peoria area. These initiatives are funded through Gov. JB Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, which represents a historic investment in Illinois’ transportation network. Combined, these nine projects total nearly $351.1 million and are aimed at enhancing safety, improving mobility, and generating good-paying jobs across the region.

Project Timeline and Completion Goals

• Five projects are scheduled for completion in 2025

• Three are expected to finish in 2026

• One is slated for completion in 2027

Illinois Department of Transportation reports that this coordinated push highlights the state’s strategic approach to upgrading infrastructure while maximizing local employment opportunities.

“Through Rebuild Illinois, we are making good on our promise to restore and transform our state’s infrastructure while promoting economic growth. This summer, IDOT will continue to build on years of progress by undertaking construction projects that will create safer roads and bridges and provide jobs across the state. Through these projects, we are demonstrating what government is supposed to do and that’s investing in the people and communities we serve.”

Governor of Illinois | JB Pritzker

Nine Key Projects Underway

1. Illinois 8/116 Cedar Street Bridge
This bridge spans the Illinois River and is undergoing extension rehabilitation, patching, and resurfacing. It is the second of three related projects that began in spring 2024 and is expected to wrap up by late summer. One lane remains open in both directions to maintain traffic flow.

2. McClugage Bridge (U.S. 150) Eastbound Replacement
This significant project began in 2019 and is set to be completed later this fall. Demolition of the old eastbound bridge started earlier this year and should conclude this summer. Adams Street (Illinois 29) is currently reduced to one lane between Lorentz Avenue and Eureka Avenue.

3. Airport Road Over I-474 Bridge Replacement
Launched in 2024, this project is expected to be completed by the fall. Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures in both directions.

4. Illinois 17/91 Over Spoon River Bridge Replacement
This bridge project began in 2024 with completion anticipated for fall. During the work, traffic is reduced to a single lane and controlled by temporary signals.

5. I-474 Over Kickapoo Creek Bridge Replacement
This bridge replacement also started in 2024 and is expected to conclude in the fall of 2026. Traffic is currently using crossovers, with reduced lane capacity.

6. Illinois 78/97 Near Havana Bridge Deck Overlays
Bridge deck overlay work along Illinois 78/97 began in 2024 and should be completed by the end of summer. Single-lane traffic is maintained using temporary signals.

7. Illinois 180 Through Williamsfield Improvements
This project involves widening, resurfacing, drainage upgrades, and guardrail improvements from Illinois 167 to U.S. 150. Work begins in 2025 and will wrap up in the fall of 2026. Expect reduced lanes and traffic management via flaggers.

8. I-74 Over Spoon River Bridge Replacement and Deck Overlay
Construction started in the fall of 2024. The replacement structures are set to be completed by 2026, with final paving done in 2027. Expect crossover traffic and complex staging.

9. U.S. 24 from Kingston Mines to Banner Resurfacing
This project includes resurfacing as well as drainage and guardrail improvements. Work began in June 2024 and is expected to be completed by late summer of 2025. Traffic is limited to one lane in each direction, with flaggers managing the flow.

The Broader Impact of Rebuild Illinois

Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is a six-year initiative investing a total of $33.2 billion in the state's aging transportation infrastructure. It is the largest capital program in Illinois history and the first to comprehensively cover all transportation modes—roads, bridges, transit systems, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and non-motorized travel such as bicycle and pedestrian paths.

The initiative not only drives economic development but also supports local communities by creating thousands of jobs. For construction professionals—contractors, engineers, laborers, and suppliers—the ongoing work in the Peoria region provides steady employment, upskilling opportunities, and the chance to contribute to meaningful public infrastructure.

Conclusion

As the Peoria region becomes a central hub for IDOT’s infrastructure investment, the benefits are far-reaching. From safer roads and more reliable bridges to increased job opportunities for the local workforce, these nine projects serve as a powerful example of what strategic public funding can achieve. With milestones set through 2027, the momentum of Rebuild Illinois promises to deliver lasting value to communities across the state.