Soundwall Damaged By Joliet Crash Finally Gets Fixed: Natalie Manley

(The following edited press release came from the staff of Joliet Democratic State Representative Natalie Manley.)

JOLIET — State Rep. Natalie Manley, D- Joliet, announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation has finally repaired the soundwall along Interstate 55 at the intersection of Fiday Road and Northeast Frontage Road in Joliet, allowing area residents to return to a quieter quality of life.

The wall has been damaged since October 2022, following a vehicle crash and a severely injured motorist.

“For more than two years, I’ve contacted IDOT on a consistent basis to ensure the repair was in progress, prioritizing the need for this community to return to a reasonable volume of sound so they may again live in a quiet neighborhood,” Manley announced on Wednesday.

Much of the lengthy delay was due to required specialized fabrication and material procurement. Under-staffing at IDOT also contributed to the delay.

The damaged wall is in the 98th Illinois House District that Rep. Manley serves.

In February, Rep. Manley met with the newly-installed IDOT Secretary Gia Biagi, in the representative's Romeoville District Office to discuss the soundwall and broader transportation priorities across the district and the state. The repair was completed shortly thereafter.

“The care and attention shown by Secretary Biagi on this issue has also been extraordinary. I don’t know if she has a magic wand, but it sure felt like she did in this instance,” said Manley. “I deeply appreciate IDOT's continued partnership in addressing the concerns of our community. The soundwall looks great, and this repair serves as an excellent example of successful collaboration.”