Drivers traveling through Henry County should prepare for traffic changes as the Illinois Department of Transportation moves into the final construction phase on 5.7 miles of Interstate 80, starting Monday, March 9, 2026. The current stage will shift a lane of head-to-head traffic onto the westbound lanes while eastbound improvements take place, impacting travel between the Rock River and U.S. 6. The Colona exit (exit 7) for eastbound traffic will be closed during this time. With a $24.5 million investment, completion is expected by late November, marking another milestone in IDOT’s ongoing Rebuild Illinois infrastructure initiative. Caution is urged in the work zone, and alternate routes are suggested to minimize delays.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is making significant strides as part of the multi-year Rebuild Illinois initiative. Over the next six years, IDOT will target improvements to more than 7,100 lane miles of highway and over 8 million square feet of bridge deck statewide, thanks to a $33.2 billion investment across all transportation modes. Highlights of the project thus far include nearly $20.8 billion dedicated to enhancing over 21,000 lane miles of highway, rehabilitating 815 bridges, and completing more than one thousand safety improvements. Stay current on District 2 projects by following @IDOTDistrict2 on X or checking the IDOT traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.