Will County Gazette

The City of Joliet has announced that the initial phase of the Theodore Street widening and traffic signal improvements project is nearing completion. The project, situated between Wesmere Parkway and River Road, involves expanding Theodore Street to five lanes and adding new sidewalks and streetlights.

On May 5, permanent traffic signals at the intersection of Theodore Street and River Road became operational. The new signals at Theodore Street and Wesmere Parkway will be activated after resurfacing work and pavement markings are completed, starting on May 10. This resurfacing is expected to take several days, contingent on weather conditions.

Pavement marking modifications on Theodore Street between River Road and IL Route 59 will begin on May 13. The existing markings will be removed, and the road restriped from four lanes to three lanes. This "Road Diet" aims to enhance safety by providing a center turn lane for cross streets without affecting the capacity of intersections at River Road and IL Route 59.

Theodore Street corridor improvements are being executed in phases. The next phase will focus on the section between Wesmere Parkway and Drauden Road, with utility relocation underway. Construction for this phase is set for 2026, including a new traffic signal at Drauden Road.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution due to new traffic patterns during these improvements. Project details can be accessed at www.joliet.gov/construction-zone. For inquiries, contact the Department of Public Works at 815-724-4200.

Joliet is located in Will and Kendall counties in Illinois, about 30 miles southwest of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, it was Illinois' third-largest city with a population of 150,362.

For further information about Joliet or media inquiries, contact Rosemaria DiBenedetto at rdibenedetto@joliet.gov or call her cell at 847-269-5556.