Gov. Rauner announces Northwest Macomb Bypass open to traffic

MACOMB (June 1, 2018) - Gov. Bruce Rauner joined Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn and local officials today to announce the opening of the Northwest Macomb Bypass. The bypass adds a new state highway, Illinois 336, just west of Macomb, improving local traffic flow while connecting western Illinois to a system of regional expressways and interstate highways linking to larger cities in Illinois and beyond.
 
"Infrastructure investments like the Macomb Bypass keep our great state positioned as the transportation hub of North America well into the 21st century," Rauner said. "Achieving this longtime regional goal will help grow our economy faster, create more opportunities in surrounding communities and establish western Illinois as an integral part of the national transportation system."
 
The bypass extends six miles, from U.S. 136 north to U.S. 67. It fulfills a longtime goal to build a route around downtown Macomb, shaving minutes off travel times and providing a way around stoplights and slower speed zones on U.S. 136 and U.S. 67 in the city. It will also relieve the central business district of truck traffic, reducing congestion and minimizing wear and tear on local streets.
 
"Western Illinois has so much to offer the rest of the state and the nation," said Macomb Mayor Mike Inman. "This bypass will boost our economic opportunities and better connect us to each other. I am so proud of the incredible work IDOT and our local teams have put forth to complete this longtime project."

The $36 million project began in July 2015 and involved building two new lanes, with room for the eventual construction of a four-lane freeway. Eight bridges and structures were included as part of the project.
 
"The Macomb Bypass is the culmination of decades of planning for serving this important part of the state," Blankenhorn said. "We are excited to see how this highly-anticipated project will open doors for western Illinois to new economic opportunities and improve the quality of life in one of our state's great communities."

The bypass represents the final piece of the 537-mile Chicago-Kansas City Expressway that has been marketed by western Illinois economic development interests as a national corridor. The expressway, first proposed 60 years ago, has a common route designation number, bearing the Chicago - Kansas City logo from downtown Chicago to downtown Kansas City.