Illinois Department of Transportation

08/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2026 09:14

Rebuilding McHenry County: Construction season brings another round of major improvements

CHICAGO - Rebuild Illinois is continuing to improve mobility, safety and quality of life in McHenry County, with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivering multiple major projects this construction season. Made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic capital program, seven projects combined represent a total investment of more than $133 million, creating and maintaining good-paying jobs throughout the region. ​

"The historic Rebuild Illinois program continues to transform our infrastructure and enhance key economic corridors across the state," said Gov. Pritzker. "Our ambitious capital program is putting Illinoisans to work as we improve regional transportation systems, encourage new economic activity and build a better future for all of Illinois." ​

Of the seven major projects in McHenry County, four are scheduled to be completed in 2026, with the remaining projects completed during the next three years.

  • Illinois 31 over Nippersink Creek resurfacing. Work began this spring and is anticipated to be completed later this summer. A temporary bridge signal is in place.
  • Illinois 47 from U.S. 14 to Illinois 120 reconstruction and additional lanes. Work began this spring and is expected to be completed in late 2029. Daily lane closures are in place.
  • Illinois 47 (Seminary Street) at Illinois 176 and at Pleasant Valley Road intersection reconstruction, road realignment and culvert replacement. Work began in 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2027. Daily lane closures are in place.
  • Richmond weigh station drainage and landscaping improvements. The project began earlier this summer and is expected to be completed in late summer. Weigh station is closed during construction.
  • Illinois 120 from Martin Street to Green Street pavement patching and ADA improvements. Work is anticipated to begin later this summer and be completed this fall. Daily lane closures will be in place.
  • U.S. 14 from State Line Road to Oak Grove Road drainage and landscaping improvements. Work is anticipated to begin later this summer and be completed this fall. Daily lane closures will be in place.
  • Illinois 31 from Illinois 176 to Illinois 120 reconstruction, construction of additional lanes, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, drainage improvements, traffic signal modernization and ADA improvements. Work is anticipated to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2029. One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction.

"For years, residents have watched roads and bridges deteriorate while needed improvements were delayed," state Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry). "We cannot keep kicking the can down the road when it comes to infrastructure. These investments will make our roads and bridges safer, improve reliability for commuters and businesses, and help ensure the next generation inherits a stronger transportation system than the one we have today."

Passed in 2019, Rebuild Illinois is investing a total of $33.2 billion over six years into the state's aging transportation system, creating jobs and promoting economic growth. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history, but also the first that touches all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, transit, waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. ​ ​ ​

"Thanks to Gov. Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois, we are continuing to deliver transformational projects up and down the state," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. "We look forward to another safe construction season that benefits the region for decades to come." ​

Accomplishments through Year Seven of Rebuild Illinois include $25.6 billion of improvements statewide on 24,498 miles of highways, 959 bridges and 1,475 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state. ​

McHenry County 2026 RBI map.pdf

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Illinois Department of Transportation published this content on August 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 28, 2026 at 15:14 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]