CHICAGO – Thanks to State Senator Napoleon Harris’ support of the historic Rebuild Illinois capital program, a multi-year, $82.1 million project along I-57 has been completed – creating safety and ease for drivers in the South Suburbs.

"The I-57 corridor is not just crucial for south suburban families to get to school or work, but also to our nation's commerce," said Harris, (D-Harvey). "The south suburbs is where goods move across the country. Projects like these are allowing businesses small and large to get their products where they need to be on-time, safely, and efficiently."

I-57 was patched and resurfaced for nearly 20 miles, and two bridges were repaired along a vital commercial and residential corridor that connects multiple communities from Chicago’s South Side through the south suburbs.

Starting in early 2022, I-57 was repaired from Steger Road to West County Line Road and from Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) to Halsted Street (Illinois 1), including ramps, rest areas, and weigh stations. Overhead expressway signs were replaced. ADA-compliant ramps were added to rest areas, and upgrades were made to weigh-in-motion scale and Bluetooth sensors, which will facilitate better trucking as well as freight activity. The bridges over the Canadian National Railroad and I-80 also received new deck overlays, with structural steel repairs to both structures.

 “This new construction and resurfacing not only improves the look entering the Southland, but improves safe travel along this important corridor to our South Suburbs like Markham,” said Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa. “We appreciate our state's continued efforts for an even better Illinois.”

I-57 is the state’s longest interstate, at approximately 359 miles. The 20-mile upgrade in Chicago and the South Suburbs is just one of the many major improvement projects that will take place across I-57.

Up to 140,000 vehicles pass through this improved area each day, making 1-57 an important part of commuter and freight travel in the region. For more information on this project and other Rebuild Illinois projects, people can visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois.