Galesburg residents continue to have questions about the future of East Main Street from Allens Avenue to Grand Avenue, and Grand Avenue extending to the south city limits at County Highway 32. This stretch of road, under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation, has prompted many inquiries about when improvements are coming and what they’ll involve, as the city does not control the project’s timeline.
WGIL is here to break it down for you in this week’s “Your Questions Answered” segment.
What’s the Plan?
IDOT released its FY 2026-2031 Proposed Highway & Multimodal Improvement Program earlier this month, providing details about the project. According to the District 4 Overview, IDOT has allocated $30 million for a full reconstruction of 2.2 miles of U.S. 150, covering East Main Street from Allens Avenue to Grand Avenue and extending to County Highway 32. This is a comprehensive reconstruction, not a minor repair—IDOT plans a complete overhaul, including new pavement, curbs, sidewalks, and storm sewers along the entire corridor.
The City of Galesburg will contribute by replacing the water main along this stretch, with those costs fully covered by the city. However, the bulk of the construction funding comes from IDOT, meaning the city’s financial share for the roadwork itself is expected to be minimal.
When Will Construction Start?
Here’s where the timeline becomes less certain. As IDOT oversees this project, the City of Galesburg does not control the schedule. IDOT’s program lists the project timeline as spanning 2027 to 2031. The design process is currently in its first phase, and while significant progress has been made in the past year, there’s still a long road before construction begins. City of Galesburg Director of Public Works Aaron Gavin told WGIL that it’s tough to pin down an exact start date since IDOT is leading the design and timeline. “We’re continuing to stress the importance of this project to IDOT and provide any support they need to keep things moving,” Gavin said.
What’s Next?
Residents can expect more details soon. Gavin said a public meeting is expected later this year to share more details about the project. “Keep an eye out for that,” he advised, as it will be an opportunity for the community to learn more and ask questions directly. WGIL will keep you posted on when and where this meeting will take place.
Have more questions about this project or other local issues? Drop us a line at news@wgil.com, and we’ll dig for the answers.