State, Regional and Local Officials Break Ground on Macomb Bypass

Project Designed to Increase Economic Development, Create Four-Lane Highway Carrying IL 336 Around City
 

MACOMB – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider today joined state, regional and local dignitaries in Macomb to break ground on the Macomb Bypass project, connecting the four-lane IL 336 expressway to the US 67 expressway north of Macomb. The project is funded by Governor Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! program and is designed to increase economic development and travel options in western Illinois.

“This project will create jobs, increase economic opportunities for the region, and improve connectivity,” said Secretary Schneider. “We are excited to break ground on the Macomb Bypass and look forward to seeing the benefits this project will provide.”

The $4.5 million project is designed to create a new four-lane divided highway carrying IL 336 around the northwest side of Macomb, to complete the Illinois portion of a Chicago-Kansas City expressway utilizing parts of four-lane freeways and expressways across northern Illinois. The route (IL 336) will extend from US 136 on the west edge of Macomb to the north and east to tie into US 67, north of Hospital Road.

The new bypass roadway will provide a modern highway from the west outskirts of Macomb to US 67. The project begins the final link in a series of actions connecting western Illinois and the communities of Quincy, Macomb, Monmouth, Galesburg and other areas of northern and central Illinois.

Among other benefits, the new road will improve travel efficiency and highway conditions by reducing downtown traffic and congestion in Macomb, reducing through-truck traffic in Macomb, and reducing travel time for motorists that do not begin or end their trips in Macomb.

Today’s groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site where a bridge will be built, carrying IL 136 (Jackson St.) over the future IL 336 just west of Macomb. This portion of the project is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2013.

Also as part of the overall project, a new bridge carrying Adams Street over the future IL 336 is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.

Grading work for the future IL 336 route could begin by Summer 2013.