Washington's main thoroughfare will get a $43 million makeover from IDOT. Here's what we know

A $43 million Illinois Department of Transportation reconstruction project is in Tazewell County’s future.

The engineering phase for the reconstruction of Business Route 24, which runs through Washington and parts of rural Tazewell and Woodford counties, is expected to begin this fall, according to IDOT spokesperson Paul Wappel. The engineering phase should take 2-3 years, followed by a design phase lasting approximately 2 years before reconstruction begins.

Rebuild Illinois:Details of the $43 million project through Washington and others

According to Washington city engineer Dennis Carr, the project is significant for the greater Peoria area because Business Route 24 is one of Tazewell County’s busiest thoroughfares. The road has come to the end of its useful life and has developed numerous potholes.

“It’s part of our freeze-thaw cycle here in the Midwest,” Carr said.

The Business Route 24 project will consist of pavement reconstruction, along with sidewalk, curb, and gutter work, and ADA improvements, according to IDOT’s Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Rebuild Illinois Highway Improvement Program.

Wappel estimated a total cost of $43 million, which will be funded through Rebuild Illinois.

“We needed to improve the driving surface, and that’s what we’re going to do,” he said. "When it’s done, the road will be smoother and safer. Those are the main things to address with any road.”

In the interim, IDOT will undertake a $5 million mill-and-overlay project that will begin this fall. Wappel said the asphalt and pavement striping for the mill and overlay should be completed by the end of November. Associated ADA improvements will then begin next year.