The Illinois Department of Transportation plans to rebuild East State Street (Route 38) from Glengarry Drive to the Fox River. The multi-year project encompasses roadway widening, streetscape enhancements, bike lanes, traffic signal upgrades, new street lighting, and water main/storm drainage infrastructure improvements.
Before work can commence on the East State Street reconstruction project, several utility companies are relocating underground infrastructure.
Oct. 17 Update
East State Street will be limited to one lane in each direction the week of Oct. 20 in the general vicinity of East Side Drive.
AT&T's ongoing utility relocation project will require one eastbound lane to be closed from Harrison to Sandholm streets.
Nicor Gas will begin trenching down the eastbound State Street lanes to install a new 8-inch gas main from Simpson Street past East Side Drive. Due to the location, traffic will be shifted to the north side of State Street, reducing to one lane in each direction. The contractor intends to provide a left-hand turn lane for eastbound State Street at East Side Drive to minimize congestion.
Verizon will wrap up any remaining work near Route 25 and finish boring in westbound State Street from Glengarry to East Side drives. This project would shut down the westbound curbside lane on that stretch of state highway.
Ongoing utility work has been fluid, weather-dependent, and is subject to change. The City is awaiting future utility relocation schedules from Metronet and Comcast.
Zipper Merge
Motorists should expect delays and may want to consider alternate routes. Drivers should use caution when driving through the work zone and allow extra time to reach their destination. Geneva Police are encouraging drivers to use the zipper merge system to help alleviate significant backups that are occurring along the state highway.
Subscribe For Updates
The full East State Street reconstruction project is now tentatively expected to start in spring 2026 and be completed in late 2027, with punch list items to be finished the following year. The timeline is dependent on how quickly the utility relocations are resolved.
The public can subscribe to road construction updates via Notify Me on the City’s website. The City will provide updates when information is made available by IDOT or the utility companies.