A consistently busy late Tuesday (Oct 22nd) afternoon meeting at the Church of God on South Bowman in Danville allowed residents to question Illinois Department of Transportation representatives about the planned removal of the Perrysville Road bridge over I-74, and the upgrading of the current Texas Avenue underpass below Bowman into a new roundabout intersection. This would allow traffic to get from one part of Perrysville Road to another, along with giving Perrysville Road traffic from the north a new passage to I-74.
IDOT Project Engineer Ryan Carroll stated that doing something different after tearing down the Perrysville Road bridge over the interstate, and the Bowman bridge over Texas Avenue; proved to be the most economical solution.
AUDIO: Obviously, we went through the process to do the feasibility study, with the economic analysis that showed us that removing two structures is more economical than replacing two structures. There are instances of roundabouts that include the interstate ramps with the intersecting roadway. We’re not doing that here. The roundabout is going to be north of the interstate ramp. So, traffic will still have to come to a stop before they enter Bowman Avenue, and then travel north to go to the roundabout.
Currently, the project is in the “study phase;” to be followed by the “design phase.” Actual construction could begin in 2027, and last into 2028. Bowman would be closed while the roundabout is being constructed, but not during the upgrading of Texas Avenue.