Project will improve safety and reduce congestion in Will County
JOLIET – Will County Board members joined Governor Bruce Rauner, Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn, and New Lenox Mayor Tim Balderman this week to begin the process of rebuilding the interchange at U.S. 30 and Interstate 80 in New Lenox. The rebuilding project is a major component of the Freight Mobility plan that the County Board drafted last year and is now implementing.
“Will County is home to the largest inland port in North America,” said County Board Member Mike Fricilone (R – Homer Glen). “It is critical that we maintain and improve our infrastructure to continue the quality of life that the residents in Will County expect and deserve.”
Fricilone said that the Will County Board has worked hard to keep their Community Friendly Freight Mobility Plan on the front burner at both the federal and state levels. The County Board has had several meetings with the Governor’s office over the last few months to impress upon the administration the critical need facing Will County infrastructure.
With the County Board’s Freight Study undergirding their request, the State of Illinois awarded grant money to Will County and the Village of New Lenox to complete the project. The total amount granted to rebuild the busy interchange is $47 million.
“There is no question that Will County has seen tremendous growth over the last few decades in both population and in jobs,” said Will County Board Member Annette Parker (R-Crest Hill). “The infrastructure in Will County needs to be updated for modern times and the County Board will continue to push for funding to implement our Community Friendly Freight Mobility Plan.”
When construction is completed, the U.S. 30 interchange ramps will be better aligned to accommodate traffic volumes. U.S. 30 will also be rebuilt through the interchange with traffic signal and drainage improvements. The bicycle and pedestrian path along U.S. 30 will also be extended.
As part of the project, a lane will be added to I-80 in both directions from I-355 through the U.S. 30 interchange. The I-80 bridges over U.S. 30 and the Metra Rock Island District Line and Hickory Creek will also be rebuilt.
Preconstruction will run through the fall and winter with construction on the interchange starting in the spring of 2019. The project is expected to be completed in late 2021.
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Fricilone said that the Will County Board has worked hard to keep their Community Friendly Freight Mobility Plan on the front burner at both the federal and state levels. The County Board has had several meetings with the Governor’s office over the last few months to impress upon the administration the critical need facing Will County infrastructure.
With the County Board’s Freight Study undergirding their request, the State of Illinois awarded grant money to Will County and the Village of New Lenox to complete the project. The total amount granted to rebuild the busy interchange is $47 million.
“There is no question that Will County has seen tremendous growth over the last few decades in both population and in jobs,” said Will County Board Member Annette Parker (R-Crest Hill). “The infrastructure in Will County needs to be updated for modern times and the County Board will continue to push for funding to implement our Community Friendly Freight Mobility Plan.”
When construction is completed, the U.S. 30 interchange ramps will be better aligned to accommodate traffic volumes. U.S. 30 will also be rebuilt through the interchange with traffic signal and drainage improvements. The bicycle and pedestrian path along U.S. 30 will also be extended.
As part of the project, a lane will be added to I-80 in both directions from I-355 through the U.S. 30 interchange. The I-80 bridges over U.S. 30 and the Metra Rock Island District Line and Hickory Creek will also be rebuilt.
Preconstruction will run through the fall and winter with construction on the interchange starting in the spring of 2019. The project is expected to be completed in late 2021.
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 From left to right: County Board Member Mike Fricilone, Governor Bruce Rauner, County Board Members Steve Balich, Annette Parker, and Gloria Dollinger |
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