CARTERVILLE – Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi was joined by state and local officials Thursday morning for the groundbreaking on the $41 million project to improve and modernize Illinois 13 at Crab Orchard Lake in Carterville.

Biagi says this project is only possible thanks to Governor JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program.

Construction started this week, with Illinois 13 reduced to one lane in each direction between Spillway Road and Greenbriar Road. Traffic will be separated by concrete barriers to accommodate work on the westbound lanes and bridges, a configuration that will last until late 2026, with the overall project anticipated to wrap up in 2028.

You can watch the entire ceremony below.