Illinois Department of Transportation, Gary Hannig, Secretary Patrick J. Quinn, Governor
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IL Route 59 Reconstruction Project

ALERTS AND UPDATES

ROAD CLOSURE ALERTS

Beginning November 16th , drivers should allow extra time when traveling through downtown Plainfield during the next three (3) weeks. AT&T work crews have closed the center left-turning lanes along both directions of Lockport Road at Illinois Route 59 (Division Street) to complete subterranean communications cable connections. This will leave one lane open in each direction.

For additional road closure details, please see corresponding press release in the Newsletters and Press Releases section below.


UPDATES

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 24, 2009
Feeney Drive east of Illinois Route 59 in Plainfield is now open to traffic.

Also, all lanes have been re-opened on Black Road and Caton Farm Road at Illinois Route 59.

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 16TH
Renwick Road improvement is completed and is now open to traffic.

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 13TH
Winter lane configurations are in place and those roads are open to traffic.

EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 14th
Fraser Road intersection improvement is completed and is now open to the motoring public

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 31ST...
Caton Farm Road new pavement construction is completed and is now open to the motoring public.

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 24TH…
Renwick Road intersection improvement is completed and is now open to the motoring public.

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 5TH…
Fort Beggs Drive intersection improvement is completed and is now open to the motoring public.
 

Please check back often for current Illinois Route 59 alerts, updates, photos, press releases, etc.

As you know, major reconstruction work has begun on IL Route 59 and will continue until the Summer of 2010. This reconstruction is necessary to improve safety and reduce congestion along the route. The traffic volume on IL Route 59 has exceeded the number that can safely and efficiently utilize the existing roadway. From IL Rt. 126 to I-55, IL Route 59 will undergo an estimated $88 million major road reconstruction of which eighty percent (80%) of this project is federally funded..

Scope of Project

Currently, IL Route 59 is a two-lane road and by the conclusion in Summer 2010 the seven (7) mile project will comprise of the following improvements:

  • Widening of the roadway to four lanes (two in each direction)

  • Curb and gutter improvements

  • Left turn lanes installed at major intersections

  • Install a median

  • New storm sewers

  • New traffic signals

  • New roadway lighting

Additionally, the bridge carrying IL Route 59 over the DuPage River north of Caton Farm Road will be reconstructed and a new interchange will be installed where IL Route 59 joins I-55 in Shorewood, IL.


Interchange Plan
Click above to view a larger visual of a designer’s rendering of the new interchange plan of IL Route 59

Intersection Improvements

Intersection Map

These major intersections along IL Route 59 will be improved:

  • Ft. Beggs Drive

  • Renwick Road

  • Caton Farm Road

  • Theodore Street

  • Black Road

  • Jefferson Street (US Rt. 52)

On the Move to Improve….Work Zone Safety

Did you know work zone fatalities are down 29.6 percent compared to 2003? Aggressive law enforcement and awareness campaigns and significant improvements to work zone safety traffic control reduced Illinois work zone fatalities from 44 in 2003, including 5 workers, to provisionally 31 with 2 workers killed in 2008.
Give ‘em a brake…slow down for their sake and yours!

IDOT appreciates your patience and understanding as we work to improve the roadways in your community.

Other Project Links

If you are a small business and are interested in work on road construction projects with IDOT, click here for information on IDOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.

IL Route 59 Photo Gallery

click on photo to enlarge

Traffic split on IL Rt. 59 south of Fraser/Feeney Road (looking south). Traffic split on IL Rt. 59 north of Renwick Road (looking north). East half of Black road intersection pour.

Traffic split on IL Rt. 59 south of Fraser/Feeney Road (looking south).

Traffic split on IL Rt. 59 north of Renwick Road (looking north).

East half of Black road intersection pour.

The two photos above are of the lane configuration on November 2nd. They show how the traffic flowed for a few days – then all traffic moved to the new lanes. Also, the areas shown are where the new roadway was raised higher than the existing (old) road.

  
Looking northeast at the new Hammel Creek Triple Box Culvert. Northbound lane 2 paving. This view is looking northeast, north of Theodore Street. Northbound lane 2 paving. This view is looking south, south of Theodore Street.
Looking northeast at the new Hammel Creek Triple Box Culvert. Northbound lane 2 paving. This view is looking northeast, north of Theodore Street. Northbound lane 2 paving. This view is looking south, south of Theodore Street.
new pavement on IL Rt. 59 south of US 52 (Jefferson). new pavement on IL Rt. 59 south of US 52 (Jefferson). new pavement on IL Rt. 59 south of US 52 (Jefferson).

Three photos above show new pavement on IL Rt. 59 south of US 52 (Jefferson).
Back side view of the wall shows the lower wall panel construction. The north abutment supports (columns) are shown on the right. Front view of the same wall about halfway up the height of the wall. This shot shows placement of stone behind the wall and halfway up the height of the wall.

Back side view of the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall shows the lower wall panel construction. The north abutment supports (columns) are shown on the right.

Front view of the same wall about halfway up the height of the wall.

This shot shows placement of stone behind the wall and halfway up the height of the wall.
Front view of the completed MSE wall constructed to full height.    
Front view of the completed MSE wall constructed to full height.    

The four (4) photos above show the construction progress of one of the Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls
for the new bridge on the ramp from I-55 to IL Rt. 59.
New lanes just before moving traffic onto them. The view is southbound on IL Rt. 59, south of Fraser/Feeney Road with final adjacent landscaping.    
New lanes just before moving traffic onto them. The view is southbound on IL Rt. 59, south of Fraser/Feeney Road with final adjacent landscaping.    

Additional Photos

Newsletters and Press Releases


Spring 2009 newsletter*

*Please note there will be no improvement to the 143rd St. (US Rt. 30) intersection as previously stated in the newsletter.

August 14, 2009 Press Release
August 19, 2009 Press Release
September 3, 2009 Press Release
November 2, 2009 Press Release
November 10, 2009 Press Release
November 16, 2009 Press Release (AT&T)
November 16, 2009 Press Release
December 10, 2009 Press Release
 

Contact IDOT

If you have a specific project-related question, please submit your question by visiting IDOT’s website http://www.dot.il.gov/contact.html and complete the email form to receive a prompt response.

Please visit this webpage for continuous updates throughout the IL Route 59 project. The Illinois Department of Transportation looks forward to your continued input and support.
 
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