07/08/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/08/2026 09:05
BLOOMINGTON - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced a lane closure on westbound Empire Street (Illinois 9) from Towanda Avenue to U.S. Business 51 in Bloomington starting July 13.
The closure is necessary to reconstruct pavement on Empire Street. The westbound lane will close for approximately two months.
Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve 7,107 lane miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Six of Rebuild Illinois include almost $20.8 billion of improvements statewide to 21,309 lane miles of highway, 815 bridges and 1,181 additional safety improvements.
For more information on IDOT projects, click here. For IDOT District 5 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict5 or view area construction details on IDOT's traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.