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Commissioner announces I‑55 widening, bridge replacements and local road grants for Madison County
Summary
A county commissioner told the Madison County board the Department of Transportation will advertise this summer and aim to award a contract in September for a two‑lane‑each‑direction I‑55 widening project, backed by $150 million in state capacity funds; the update also covered a $77 million Highway 51 bridge grant and local road and ADA allocations.
A county commissioner reported to the Madison County board that the Department of Transportation has secured roughly $150,000,000 in state capacity funds that will fund initial work on a major I‑55 widening project and related local road and bridge work.
The commissioner said the county will advertise for bids in July and August, expects to award a construction contract in September and anticipates work to begin in spring 2027, with construction lasting about two and a half years. "We are very pleased to let you know that a $150,000,000 is not adequate enough to take care of the full cost, but my guess will be going to fund it anyway," the commissioner told the board.
The project scope described by the commissioner calls for adding two lanes inside the median of Interstate 55 so existing outside lanes can remain open and traffic flow is preserved; the work will include lighting, safety improvements and updated signage. The commissioner said any necessary lane closures would be limited and likely scheduled at night to reduce disruption.
The presentation also covered bridge work on Highway 51. The commissioner said Madison County received a $77,000,000 grant to replace about 11 bridges on Highway 51; two currently closed bridges are expected to reopen around September or October, and additional bridge replacements in the area will follow.
Board members and staff discussed interchange ramps and connections tied to the widening; the chair confirmed the plan includes ramps and interchange work to better distribute traffic onto local roads. In response to a committee member's question about environmental and engineering work, the commissioner said preconstruction activities—including environmental reviews and utility coordination—are complete and the county is ready to advertise for contractors.
A staff speaker added that Madison County and its municipalities received a bit more than $6,000,000 in the recent legislative session, with $1,000,000 each allocated for Gluckstadt Road and Weisenberger Road. The staff speaker said three state‑funded ADA slots were authorized and "will be funded in January of 27th" (transcript phrasing).
The presentation closed with mutual thanks among the commissioner, chair and staff. No formal board vote or motion on the projects was recorded during the update; the commissioner described implementation steps the county plans to take next, including advertising and contract letting this summer and fall.
