Interstate 80 expansion project finished

MOKENA — A project widening a congested eight-mile stretch of Interstate 80 across Illinois is finished, easing delays on a key transport route.

The $26 million project was funded through Gov. Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction plan.

Work on the interstate located south of Chicago in Will County began 18 months ago. The project added another lane, new signs and noise walls on the interstate, which stretches from coast to coast.

Quinn said Wednesday that “I-80 connects Illinois to both oceans” and is one of the state’s most important interstates for transporting people and goods.

More than 80,000 vehicles travel this section of the interstate each day. About 22 percent of them are trucks hauling goods.

Officials say the work will also improve air quality in the area.