From the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT): IDOT has announced that weather permitting, westbound Interstate 80 in Bureau County will be closed overnight for repairs beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 8. The closure will be between the Illinois 40 interchange (exit 45) and the Illinois 78 interchange (exit 33). Eastbound I-80 will remain open.
A posted detour for westbound I-80 will direct motorists to use Illinois 40, U.S. 6 and Illinois 78. Westbound I-80 will reopen by 6 a.m. Thursday, May 9.
The work is part of a two-year, $36.8 million construction project on nearly 10 miles of I-80 in Bureau County that began in March. The work will resurface I-80 from the Bureau-Henry County line to east of the Illinois 40 interchange.
Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction and is running in the westbound lanes as work begins to patch and resurface the eastbound lanes. The project includes repairs to several bridges and culverts in the work zone through late fall 2024. In spring 2025, work will begin in the westbound lanes and traffic will be shifted onto the eastbound lanes. The entire project is expected to wrap up in late fall of 2025.
Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area and be prepared for slow and stopped traffic. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.