Ogle County, Illinois, August 28, 2025
News Summary
Construction work is set to commence on Illinois Route 26 in Ogle County, specifically between Willow Street in Forreston and Hillside Drive in Polo. The $5.3 million project aims to mill and resurface the road to enhance driving conditions. Motorists should anticipate daily lane closures managed by flaggers and potential delays as the project unfolds. Completion is projected for early July 2026, as part of a wider statewide investment plan to upgrade infrastructure.
Construction on Illinois Route 26 in Ogle County Begins Sept. 9, 2025
Construction on Illinois Route 26 in Ogle County will begin, weather permitting, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The work zone runs from Willow Street in Forreston to Hillside Drive in Polo. The project, funded at $5.3 million, will include milling and resurfacing to restore pavement and improve driving conditions. Motorists can expect daily lane closures and traffic control by flaggers in the work area. Completion is expected by early July 2026.
What drivers need to know now
The top priority of the work is the safety of road users and workers. Expect daily lane closures through the project limits. Traffic will be directed by flaggers, and drivers must obey posted speed limits, pay attention to changed traffic patterns and signs, refrain from using mobile devices while driving in the work zone, and remain alert for crews and equipment. Delays are possible; plan extra travel time when passing through the area.
Project scope and timeline
The resurfacing work will include milling the top layer of pavement and placing a new surface. The project limits cover the stretch between Willow Street in Forreston and Hillside Drive in Polo. Work will start as soon as weather permits on the scheduled start date and proceed through the winter and spring where conditions allow, with the contractor aiming to finish by early July 2026.
Budget and related work
The resurfacing project carries a budget of $5.3 million. It is one of several projects in the region. Another nearby project in rural Stephenson County — between Brush Creek and Cedar Creek — is under way with a budget of $2.3 million and is expected to finish by the end of November 2025. These projects are part of a larger statewide plan to maintain and upgrade roads and bridges over the coming years.
Broader statewide program
The work on Route 26 is linked to a multi-year transportation initiative that has provided funding for roads and bridges across the state. The statewide plan includes a $33.2 billion investment in transportation and aims to improve thousands of miles of highway and millions of square feet of bridge deck over the next several years. In recent years, the program has already yielded nearly $20.8 billion in improvements covering thousands of miles of highways, hundreds of bridges, and more than a thousand safety upgrades.
Workforce and training investments
Alongside construction funding, investments have been made in workforce training for construction trades. Pre-apprenticeship training programs have enrolled more than 5,800 participants from 2017 through 2024. Since 2017, enrollment growth has increased the number of Black apprentices by 95% and female apprentices by 202%. About $66 million has been invested in construction careers and pre-apprenticeship efforts, which averages roughly $12,000 invested per enrolled participant. For those who progress into a placed apprenticeship, the reported return is about $35,000 per placed apprentice, and skilled trades programs have shown a reported 900% return on grant investments over a ten-year period based on participant earnings.
How this may affect local travel
Residents and commuters who use Illinois Route 26 between Forreston and Polo should expect daily lane closures during active work hours. Drivers should follow flagger directions, observe all posted speed limits, and avoid distractions. Nonessential travel through the work zone during peak construction hours may mean added delay.
Final notes
The project schedule depends on weather and contractor progress. If weather or other conditions delay work, start and completion dates could change. Routine updates and traffic advisories about the project are typically available from transportation officials and roadway signage at the work site. Anyone traveling near the work zone should remain vigilant and follow temporary traffic controls for the safety of both drivers and workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does construction begin and end?
Construction is scheduled to begin, weather permitting, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, and is expected to be completed by early July 2026.
Where is the work being done?
The work zone extends from Willow Street in Forreston to Hillside Drive in Polo on Illinois Route 26 in Ogle County.
What work will be performed?
Contractors will mill the existing pavement surface and apply a new layer of asphalt to resurface the road.
Will there be lane closures or traffic controls?
Yes. There will be daily lane closures and flaggers controlling traffic through the work zone. Drivers should obey signs and directions from flaggers.
How much does the project cost?
The Route 26 project has a budget of $5.3 million. A nearby Stephenson County project costs $2.3 million and is expected to finish by the end of November 2025.
Are there broader programs tied to this work?
Yes. The project is part of a multi-year transportation initiative that includes a $33.2 billion investment in transportation and ongoing statewide road and bridge improvements.
Key Project Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start date | September 9, 2025 (weather permitting) |
| Expected completion | Early July 2026 |
| Location | Illinois Route 26 — Willow Street (Forreston) to Hillside Drive (Polo), Ogle County |
| Scope | Milling and resurfacing |
| Budget | $5.3 million |
| Traffic control | Daily lane closures; flaggers in work zone |
| Related nearby work | Stephenson County project between Brush Creek and Cedar Creek — $2.3 million, complete by Nov 2025 |
| Program context | Part of a statewide transportation investment program with a $33.2 billion plan and recent improvements totaling nearly $20.8 billion |
| Workforce investments | Pre-apprenticeship and training: 5,800+ enrolled (2017–2024); $66M invested; strong growth for Black and female apprentices |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Construction IL Resources
Major Road Construction Projects Set to Start in Ogle County, Illinois
Major Construction Underway on Illinois 26 Near Cedarville
Additional Resources
- Shaw Local: Construction on Illinois Route 26 in Ogle County Begins Sept. 9, 2025
- Journal Standard: What Drivers Need to Know About the Illinois 26 Construction Zone
- WIFR: Resurfacing Project Set to Begin on Illinois 72 in Ogle County
- ArcGIS StoryMaps: Construction Overview
- WNY Labor Today: Study Finds State of Illinois Pre-Apprenticeship Programs Boosting Women & Minorities in Construction
- Wikipedia: Illinois Route 26
- Google Search: Illinois Route 26 construction
- Google Scholar: Illinois Route 26 construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Illinois Route 26
- Google News: Illinois Route 26 construction
