Replacement of Illinois 2 Rock River bridge in Rockton pushes boundaries

Oct. 17, 2025

Important: See below for upcoming cutoff date reminders in letting section

The process to replace the pair of 60-year-old bridges carrying Illinois 2 over the Rock River in Rockton began with a push.

At the start of the project, the southbound bridge was literally shoved more than 40 feet closer to its northbound twin.

The point? Doing so created a temporary workstation, also called a tramway, allowing the contractor to demolish and replace both structures more safely and efficiently. Normally with such projects, a temporary structure is built in the river.

The innovative approach is being monitored for its potential time and cost savings on other projects as IDOT is in the midst of the busiest construction period in its history.

Gov. Pritzker announces largest infrastructure program in state history

Gov. JB Pritzker and IDOT announced the latest — and largest — multi-year program to build and repair infrastructure in state history: $50.6 billion over six years. It continues an unprecedented investment in safety, mobility and quality of life made possible by the governor’s Rebuild Illinois capital program.

The new program, spread across all modes of transportation and touching every Illinois county, also includes $400 million to support 223 local projects. These projects, ranging from street and transit upgrades to bike and pedestrian improvements, are based on priorities submitted by counties, cities, townships, transit districts and other local agencies.

Region 5, District 8: A $25.1 million conversion of the interchange at Interstate 270 and Illinois 111 from a cloverleaf to a diverging diamond was completed and opened to traffic Sept. 30. It is the first interchange of its kind in the Metro East and the seventh one in Illinois.

Funded by the Illinois Competitive Freight Program, the project began in late January and modernizes a key gateway into Pontoon Beach and Edwardsville, a vital transportation hub for the region and the broader Midwest. The new design essentially routes vehicles to the opposite side of Illinois 111 and eliminates left turns across traffic entering and exiting I-270. Diverging diamonds have helped to cut the number of crashes in half in some locations.

Region 5, District 9: Crews made short work in demolishing the bridge carrying Stiritz Road over Interstate 57 near Johnston City in Williamson County on Sept. 29. I-57 was closed in the area and traffic was detoured onto Illinois 37 during the nighttime project.

Work is underway to build a new Stiritz Road bridge. The $4.9 million project is expected to be completed by next September.

Letting Update

Nov. 7 is the final letting for statewide construction projects that are scheduled in 2025. Here are some dates to note in advance of the letting.

Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m. Prequalification cutoff (Date that contractors must be qualified to bid on contracts.)
Oct. 31 at 4:30 p.m. Joint venture cutoff (three contractor limit. Date for these groups who want to bid can do so).
Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m. Request for authorization to bid cutoff (Final date for contractors who are authorized to bid on contracts).
Nov. 7 at noon Letting (Bids can be submitted until 11:59 a.m. on the day. Bids are shut down at noon).

If you are new to the IDOT bid letting process or need updated information, following are some helpful resources:

IDOT offers free subscription email services to anyone interested in finding out more about construction projects and work zones, IDOT initiatives, important safety messages and more.

Subscribe to IDOT in Motion or update your preferred email lists today.

Get Local Updates

idot.illi nois.gov