Kankakee Times

Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee) recently met with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Randy, Kankakee Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong and representatives from the governor’s office to discuss improvements to the I-57 and IL-17 interchange.

“When I took office in January, this was one of the first projects shared with me by (then-)Kankakee Mayor Nina Epstein because of the hugely beneficial impact it will have on Kankakee and Bradley-Bourbonnais businesses and the development of my entire district,” Parkhurst said in a press release.

Parkhurst is advocating for improved access off exit 312 to Kankakee at the intersection of I-57 and IL-17 to allow for truck traffic. The work would include bringing the interchange up to current IDOT safety and regulation standards. The city of Kankakee sought an upgrade to the interchange more than a decade ago, but discussions stalled in 2013.

Parkhurst hopes updating the interchange will increase economic development in the district.

“Today trucks avoid this intersection because of the tight turn radius, yet this area is ripe for new economic development,” Parkhurst said in her statement. “Everything is in place; we just need improved access at the intersection of Routes 57 and 17. These improvements are an important selling point to businesses looking to relocate to our district, including Hoekstra Transportation and Ricky Rockets Fuel Center.”