Illinois has started construction on two new bridges carrying Interstate 80 over the Des Plaines River near Joliet. The $164 million project marks the final phase of the state’s broader $1.3 billion I-80 modernization program.
The project will replace twin bridges built in the 1960s with two wider concrete structures located about 300 feet north of the existing crossings. Crews began work in May 2026. The new bridges are scheduled for completion in 2028, with demolition of the existing structures planned for 2029.
The bridge replacement forms part of a larger effort to rebuild and expand 16 miles of I-80 between Ridge Road in Minooka and U.S. 30 in Joliet and New Lenox. The corridor program includes additional travel lanes, interchange upgrades, safety improvements, and the rehabilitation or replacement of more than 30 bridges.
By the end of 2026, project teams expect to complete about 80 percent of the overall corridor improvements. The state also plans to open a third lane in each direction along 13 miles of the corridor and complete reconstructed interchanges at I-55, Larkin Avenue, and Briggs Street.
I-80 serves as one of the nation’s primary east-west freight routes. The highway carries about 80,000 vehicles daily through Joliet, including a significant volume of truck traffic. The corridor supports the region’s freight and logistics industry and handles goods valued at more than $600 billion annually.
The bridge project is funded through Illinois’ Rebuild Illinois capital program, which supports statewide transportation infrastructure improvements.