Illinois Department of Transportation

07/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2026 12:43

Rebuilding Decatur: Construction season brings another round of major improvements to region

DECATUR - Rebuild Illinois is continuing to improve mobility, safety and quality of life in the Decatur area, with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivering multiple major projects this construction season. Made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic capital program, 11 projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $171.5 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 11 major projects in the Decatur area, six are scheduled to be completed in 2026 and the remaining five are anticipated to be completed from 2027 through 2028. ​

  • Brush College Road and Fairies Parkway grade separation over two sets of railroad tracks. The project began in late 2023 and expected to be completed this winter. The south leg of Brush College Road is closed. Other lane closures will be occurring around the area. Detour utilizes North 22nd Street.
  • Reas Bridge Road removal and replacement of two bridge structures over Lake Decatur. The project began in late 2023 and expected to be completed this winter. Reas Bridge Road traffic will be down to one lane through the different stages of the construction. Signals will be used to direct traffic through the work zone.
  • Illinois 48 at Mosquito Creek 1.5 miles northeast of Blue Mound bridge replacement. The project began this spring and anticipated to be completed this winter. Lane closures with one lane open in each direction.
  • Interstate 72 at U.S. 36 exit to Harristown Boulevard; U.S. 36: I-72 to just west of Harristown Boulevard and U.S. 51: I-72 to Cantrell Road west of Decatur lighting replacement. The project began in late 2025 and is expected to be completed this summer. Lane closures with one lane open in each direction.
  • Illinois 105 at Long Creek a half-mile east of Oakley Road bridge replacement. The project began this spring and is expected to be completed this winter. Lane closures with one lane open in each direction.
  • U.S. 36 over Lake Shore Drive bridge replacement. The project is anticipated to begin this summer and completed in summer 2027. Lane closures with one lane open in each direction.
  • I-72 over Illinois 121 and CN railroad northwest of Decatur bridge replacement. The project is anticipated to begin this fall and completed in fall 2028. Lane closures with one lane open in each direction.
  • U.S. 36 at Long Creek east of Esther Avenue bridge replacement. The project is anticipated to begin this fall and is expected to be completed in fall 2027. Lane closures with one lane open in each direction.
  • U.S. 51 from almost one mile south of U.S. 36 to 0.3 miles east of Business U.S. 51 southwest of Decatur resurfacing. The project is anticipated to take place this fall. Lane closures with one lane open in each direction.
  • I-72 at Eldorado Street and at Grand Avenue north of the Harristown interchange bridge repairs. The project is anticipated to begin this summer and is expected to be completed in summer 2027. Lane closures with one lane open in each direction.
  • Old Business U.S. 51 from Illinois 121 to U.S. 36 in Decatur (southbound) resurfacing. The project is anticipated to begin this fall and is expected to be completed in fall 2027. Lane closures with one lane open

"We made a commitment to improve the state's aging infrastructure," said state Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield). "Investing in our roads increases safety, brings good-paying jobs and boosts the local economy."

"Transportation is the foundation for economic development success. Thanks to Gov. Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois program, we're able to build efficient, much needed roads and bridges that will help shape our future," said Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. "These major projects get goods to market, workers to jobs and students to school. Rebuild Illinois is proof positive that working together, government, business and labor create opportunity for everyone."

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 March 31 of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $24 billion of improvements statewide on 23,081 miles of highways, 920 bridges and 1,393 additional safety improvements. Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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Decatur 2026 RBI map.pdf
Illinois Department of Transportation published this content on July 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 16, 2026 at 18:43 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]