CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced both good and bad news on Wednesday.

On August 27, 2025, the flyover ramp connecting westbound I-74 to southbound I-57 was opened at 4 p.m., marking the end of four years of construction. However, the entire interchange project is anticipated to reach completion in 2027.

This development is a component of a broader $250 million construction initiative at the intersection. The ramp stretches a third of a mile and was constructed using over one million pounds of steel to improve traffic flow.

“The capacity needs were apparent, and it’s something we’ve consistently heard from local leadership,” stated Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “The number of cars and trucks is increasing.”

Before this project, safety was a critical issue, with IDOT officials noting that the former cloverleaf interchange often caused semitrucks to tip over due to tight turns. This design also bogged down merging traffic, leading to accidents and longer commute times.

“The design was just so old — and I’m not an engineer — but the curves and the merging was just unsafe,” said Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign).

IDOT has announced an additional $300 million in transportation projects planned for Champaign County, with the I-74 East to I-57 North flyover slated for completion next, in 2026.