Work on I-39 in Lee County begins May 4

LEE COUNTY - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that weather permitting, work on Interstate 39 in Lee County will begin on Monday, May 4. The 19-mile work zone is throughout the entirety of Lee County and includes the Willow Creek Rest Areas.

Work will consist of pavement patching and crack sealing. Following those repairs, the pavement will undergo microsurfacing, which applies a thin, tough layer of asphalt emulsion blended with finely crushed stone designed to prolong the life of the road. There will be temporary lane closures in both directions of I-39 during the $14.5 million project, which is expected to be completed by the end of November.

Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zone areas, 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 IDOT District 2 updates, follow us on X at @IDOTDistrict2 or view area construction details on IDOT's traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.