IDOT District 4

IDOT to Address Rough Stretch of Route 94 in 2026

Motorists traveling on a notoriously bumpy section of Illinois Route 94 in Henderson County can look forward to smoother rides ahead, as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has outlined plans to address severe pavement deterioration.

The problematic segment has reached a point where further milling (grinding down the existing surface) is no longer viable. According to IDOT, attempting additional milling risks creating even worse conditions, making a full overlay the necessary solution.

The first major relief is on the way for a 5.84-mile stretch from Illinois Route 116 to 300N (Fisher’s Curve). This overlay project carries a programmed construction cost of $7 million and is scheduled for construction in calendar year 2026. The project is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 program, with bidding anticipated this summer (2026).

For the southern portion of the route, a 7-mile stretch from 300N / 1500E to the Hancock County line, resurfacing is also planned and has been included in IDOT's Fiscal Year 2026-2031 multi-year improvement program. While no specific target letting (bidding) date has been set yet for this segment.