NW Illinois News

Sen. Brian Stewart (R-Dixon) posted a reminder that there will be bridge construction in the Freeport area near Route 20 East.

“ATTN Freeport Area - RT 20 East,” Stewart wrote on Facebook.

The Illinois Department of Transportation Road Construction virtual map reported 557 roads are under construction.

In the Facebook post, Stewart attached an image of a letter from the Illinois Department of Transportation. It read, in part: “Construction on the bridge carrying Westbound U.S. 20 over Sumner Creek in Stephenson County will begin on April 4. The bridge is 6 miles east of Freeport. Work will consist of approach pavement repairs and resurfacing. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with a temporary concrete barrier wall. This project is expected to be completed by the end of May.”

WREX reported IDOT said the U.S. 30 bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad in Whiteside County began its construction Monday.

“The need for the proposed project is based on several aspects of the currently inadequate transportation system,” IDOT said in a release. “The study addresses the need for the proposed action in terms of regional economic characteristics, system capacity, safety concerns, community access, and system continuity.”

CIPround reported IDOT said Interstate 474/Illinois 6 overpasses at I-74 in Peoria also started construction Monday.

“To further encourage all the varied interests that will be part of the highway planning project to focus on its regionwide economic, social and environmental implications, IDOT has developed a theme for the corridor,” IDOT wrote in a release. “It is one that draws on the unique and beautiful natural surroundings in Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties.”

IDOT explains the work being done on U.S. 20 from Freeport to Galena, noting that it will be several years until the four-lane highway is complete.