Partnership helps deliver critical road improvements ahead of new school year in Cahokia Heights

When Cahokia Community Unit School District 187 prepared to open its new high school, a major priority was ensuring that the surrounding road network would be ready to safely support students, families and staff.

Through a strong partnership between the school district, the city of Cahokia Heights, IDOT’s District 8 Bureau of Local Roads, contractors and other stakeholders, the first phase of a $9.6 million project by the city was completed ahead of the new school year. The project reached a major milestone Aug. 11, when Cahokia Heights held a ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of the first phase.

“This project required an extraordinary amount of coordination in a very short period of time,” said Rebecca Tharp, assistant regional engineer in IDOT’s Region 5, which includes District 8 in southwest Illinois. “It took a lot of people working together across IDOT. Their commitment allowed us to deliver these improvements in time for the start of the next school year.”

Run through IDOT’s Local Roads division, the project included upgrades along Illinois 157 (Camp Jackson Road), such as intersection improvements that connect to the new high school and its athletic facilities. Other work included the construction of Camanche Way, a new five-lane road that provides primary access from Illinois 157 to the high school and Cahokia Fitness and Sports Complex, in addition to storm sewer upgrades, pedestrian accommodations and traffic signal improvements. The design and construction of local roads projects typically are overseen by counties, municipalities and townships, with IDOT providing oversight to ensure that applicable policies are followed and funds are administered properly.

The Cahokia Heights project was delivered under an exceptionally tight timeline. Funding was awarded to Cahokia Heights last October, with construction required to be completed and open to traffic before the start of the school year. District 8’s Bureau of Local Roads worked closely with the school district, community and project partners to advance environmental clearances, plan reviews, agreements, land acquisition, utility coordination and other requirements.

The team also used creative solutions to keep the project moving, including an early letting to secure storm sewer and traffic signal components. The proactive approach helped maintain the schedule and allowed for temporary traffic signals until permanent ones could be installed.

The work is the first step in a larger, multiphase improvement plan, with future projects anticipated for Illinois 157 and Falling Springs Road, along with an extension of Camanche Way to Mildred Avenue.

The Cahokia Heights project demonstrates how IDOT employees across programs work with local partners to turn transportation investments into meaningful improvements.

LEARN MORE: New Cahokia High School Construction Information | Cahokia Unit School District #187