Effingham County - Fayette Avenue Reconstruction & Widening

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will be reconstructing US 40/US 45/IL 33 (Fayette Avenue) from Illini Drive to Long Street in Effingham County. The project has been separated into two roadway contracts which will be under construction sequentially: the west section (Illini Drive to Banker Street) will be constructed first, followed by the east section (Banker Street to Long Street). Each section is estimated to take two construction seasons to complete.

This project is necessary, due to the narrow roadway width, and lack of left-turn lanes throughout the section. The high traffic volume, along with the high number of crashes in the area, warrant a reconfiguration of the current roadway.

This website has been set up to provide residents, business owners and travelers with the information they need to know what is happening along Fayette Avenue. If this site has not answered all of your questions, please fill out the feedback form.

Update 7/5/2024: The east bound lanes and entrances on the south side of Fayette Avenue have been completed. The contractor is currently working in two locations on Fayette Avenue. West of Henrietta on Fayette Avenue, the west bound traffic is travelling on the new center turn lane which allows for the reconstruction of the west bound lanes and the business entrances on the north side of Fayette Avenue from west of Raney Street to Henrietta Street. East of Henrietta Street on Fayette Avenue, the reconstruction of the center turn lane from Henrietta Street to the east end of the project is underway. Once this is complete, west bound traffic can be moved to the new center turn lane so the west bound lanes and entrances on the north side of Fayette Avenue can be reconstructed from Henrietta Street to the east end of the project.  The pavement reconstruction on Henrietta Street south of Fayette Avenue has been completed.  For the remainder of the summer, reconstruction of the west bound lanes and entrances on the north side of Fayette Avenue will be underway.  

Update 6/13/2024: Construction continues on Fayette Aenuev and Henrietta Street. The east bound lanes and entrances on the south side of Fayette Avenue have been completed. The contractor is currently working in two locations on Fayette Avenue. West of Henrietta on Fayette Avenue, west bound traffic is on the new center turn lane which allows for the reconstruction of the west bound lanes and the business entrances on the north side of Fayette Avenue from west of Raney Street to Henrietta Street. East of Henrietta Street on Fayette Avenue, reconstruction of the center turn lane from Henrietta Street to the east end of the project is underway. Once this is complete, west bound traffic can be moved to the new center turn lane so the west bound lanes and entrances on the north side of Fayette Avenue can be reconstructed from Henrietta Street to the east end of the project.  On Henrietta Street south of Fayette Avenue, the north bound lanes and center turn lane have been completed. Reconstruction of the south bound lanes of Henrietta Street from Grove Avenue to Fayette Avenue is underway.  

Update 4/2/2024: Construction continues on Fayette Avenue from Raney Avenue to Walnut Street.  Construction is also occurring on some side streets including Henrietta Street; however, no side streets are closed at this time.  Fayette Avenue east bound traffic will be using the new east bound driving lane, and west bound traffic will remain in the old west bound driving lane, while work on the middle lane occurs.

Update 7/24/2023: Construction between Raney Street and Henrietta Street is in full swing.  Buildings between Henrietta Street and Maple Street are being removed to make way for the improvements.  Access to Raney Street from Fayette Avenue is currently blocked, while the Raney Street/Fayette intersection is improved.  Work on the intersection is expected to be completed in mid-September at which time access to Raney Street from Fayette Ave will be permitted.

Note: IDOT projects typically have three distinct phases. Phase I (or the project Study) consists of developing the project scope, environmental studies and preliminary design of a project. Phase II (Design) consists of refining the design to develop contract plans and land acquisition. Phase III (Construction) consists of the actual construction of the project.

Construction Fast Facts

• Project Schedule: FY 2021-26 Multi-Year Program
• Project Duration: 4 construction seasons
• Project Cost: $27,100,000
• Project Municipality: Effingham
• Project County: Effingham