Photos: Governor JB Pritzker Bringing Joliet Brand New I-80 Bridge, He Celebrates Construction’s Underway

Some of the Chicago TV reporters were less interested in the I-80 Bridge. They asked JB Pritzker about the Chicago Bears’ stadium plans.

Posted Fri, May 22, 2026 at 2:45 pm CT|Updated Fri, May 22, 2026 at 2:59 pm CT

JOLIET, IL — If you are a regularly follower of the Joliet Patch, you’ve seen our photos and videos showing how major construction is already underway for the new Interstate 80 Bridge over the Des Plaines River. About 50 homes have been demolished as construction crews continue to clear debris and excavate dirt for the long awaited new I-80 bridge.

On Friday morning, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker made a return visit to one of his favorite cities, Joliet. The governor held an 11 a.m. press conference on the east side of Joliet near the city’s wastewater plant facility, that way, news media could capture the existing Des Plaines River Bridge in the background. The 1960s-era bridge is going to be torn — in three years. But first, the new I-80 bridge needs to be erected and ready to open.

Joliet Patch carried the remarks of the governor and of Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy during Patch’s Facebook Live.

Governor Pritzker has been responsible for the Rebuild Illinois project. As of May, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation: the following Rebuild Illinois projects have been already completed around the Joliet area:

Houbolt Road Extension

Route 30 Interchange Improvements including added traffic lanes between Route 30 and Gougar Road

Houbolt Road Diverging Diamond Interchange Conversion

New bridges at Hickory Creek, Richards Street, Rowell Road/Canadian National RR

I-80 Ridge Road to River Road reconstruction

Shepley Road over I-80 bridge replacement

Wheeler Avenue over I-80 bridge replacement

Briggs Street over I-80 bridge replacement

River Road over I-80 bridge replacement

Richards Street reconstruction.