Officials Celebrate Weber Road, Interstate 55 Interchange Opening

ROMEOVILLE, IL — State, county and local officials celebrated the opening of the improved Weber Road and Interstate 55 interchange on Monday. The project was part of a $96.7 million investment to improve safety and mobility, according to a release from the state.

“After years of construction and tens of millions of dollars, I’m thrilled to announce that improvements to the Weber Road interchange have been completed,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a release. “This is a win for motorists, bikers, and pedestrians who will see added lanes and modernized traffic signals—simultaneously improving safety and efficiency. Investments, like the one along Weber Road, are what our Rebuild Illinois capital plan is all about: making sure we have good jobs and the roads to get there and building a state where opportunity is just around the corner for everyone, no matter where you’re standing.”

The project’s $75.7 million centerpiece involved widening Weber Road and reconfiguring the interchange with I-55 into a diverging-diamond design, the release states. The interchange routes vehicles to the opposite side of Weber and eliminates left turns across traffic, which will help to decrease crashes and improve pedestrian and bicycle access across I-55.

“Ensuring that our transportation infrastructure is well maintained and sufficient to meet and exceed the requirements of industry, businesses and Illinois residents is a fundamental part of our economic policy,” State Rep. Dee Avelar said in a release. “Illinoisans need and deserve a world-class transportation infrastructure to support and amplify their industriousness and ingenuity. This project, which will improve both quality of life and safety, is part of furthering that goal.”

Another part of the project included a third lane added in each direction to Weber Road between Rodeo Drive and Normantown Road. A $21 million companion project by Will County extended the Weber Road improvements south of Normantown Road to Romeo Road, the release states.

“The completed I-55 and Weber Road interchange will greatly improve access to local communities and ease congestion on our busiest highway,” Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant said in a release. “Thank you to our state and local leadership for their commitment to this project over the years. The investment in Will County infrastructure is an investment in our future.”

The project also includes modernized traffic signals at Normantown Road, Remington Boulevard/Windham Parkway, Rodeo Drive/Remington Boulevard and the interchange ramps, as well as new LED lighting, improved drainage, raised medians and landscaping on Weber Road. Sidewalks and a new multiuse path connect to other local trails.

“I’m very excited about the completion of this project. While it took a while to complete and there were challenges along the way, I’m thankful for the partnership between the Village of Bolingbrook, the Village of Romeoville and IDOT,” Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta said. “The new diverging diamond will accommodate the increase in traffic and improve the safety of the interchange.”

Occasional lane closures will continue as miscellaneous items on the project are completed, according to the release. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

“This was a massive project and, as such, it took a long time to complete. I think we can all agree, however, that the results were well worth the wait,” Romeoville Mayor John Noak said in a release. “The improvement in traffic flow is astounding, and I would like to thank our staff, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Will County, the Village of Bolingbrook, and all other parties who were involved in bringing this project to completion.”

Rebuild Illinois has advanced several projects in Will County, including more than $200 million in improvements along I-55, such as the $48 million resurfacing between Interstate 80 and Weber Road and the $35 million in bridge repairs over Lemont Road and Illinois 53/Joliet Road.

“Under Gov. Pritzker, IDOT is partnering with communities up and down the state to deliver transformational projects just like Weber Road,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “This project solves a longtime issue with safety and congestion, while helping to promote and manage economic activity and job creation in one of the state’s fastest growing areas.”