University Park and Governors State University finally have an exit off of Interstate-57 at Stuenkel Road/University Parkway. That’s thanks to a brand new $39 million full-access interchange that promises improved traffic flow and accessibility, as well as economic development for the area.
The village, elected officials, residents and dignitaries celebrated Oct. 30 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. On hand for the long-awaited grand opening of the interchange were University Park Mayor Vivian Covington, Former University Park Mayor Alvin McCowan, Village Clerk Dorothy Jones Congresswoman Robin Kelly, SSMMA Executive Director Edward Paesel, SSMMA Transportation Director Dennis Latto, Will County Executive Lawrence M. Walsh, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, Matteson Village Manager and Governors State University Trustee Brian Mitchell, Governors State University Director of Governmental and Community Relations Maureen Kelly, a representative from State Sen. Toi Hutchinson’s office, village trustees, police and fire departments, representatives from the Illinois Department of Transportation and local residents.
The new construction is part of a larger project that will include the east-west section of University Parkway on the northern edge of campus and will eventually extend University Parkway/Stuenkel Road all the way to the new interchange. The full project is expected to be completed in 2016.
The project included construction of the interchange ramps and signalized ramp terminals. It also included the replacement of the Stuenkel Road Bridge over Interstate-57.
More photos are here.
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