A major intersection improvement project is finally getting underway in Plainfield—and the first stage is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Construction at 127th Street and Plainfield-Naperville Road is scheduled to begin August 31, with the project ultimately bringing a new traffic signal, dedicated turn lanes and other improvements to the busy intersection. (Plainfield, IL)

The project is a joint effort between the Village of Plainfield, Village of Bolingbrook and Will County Division of Transportation and will be completed in multiple stages.

Construction Is Starting August 31

The first work will focus on grading and constructing temporary pavement along the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road.

Once that temporary pavement is in place, a detour will be introduced so crews can begin the first major stage of construction.

That phase includes reconstruction of 127th Street, also known as Reagan Boulevard, as well as the east side and northbound portion of Plainfield-Naperville Road. (Plainfield, IL)

Utility relocation work that had to happen before construction was completed in July, clearing the way for the roadway work to begin. (Patch)

The First Stage Will Be Finished This Year

One of the biggest updates for residents is the timeline.

The first stage of the project is scheduled to be completed in 2026, while the remaining work will continue into 2027. (Plainfield, IL)

The Village previously anticipated that the intersection's new traffic signal would be operational before the end of 2026, although the full project will take longer to complete. (Plainfield, IL)

What Will the Intersection Look Like When It's Finished?

The completed project will bring some significant changes to the intersection.

Planned improvements include:

• A new traffic signal

• Dedicated left-turn lanes on all four approaches

• Widened and reconstructed roadways

• Improved drainage

• New curb and gutter

• Concrete medians

• Improved intersection geometry

• New lighting

• Guardrail and other safety improvements (Web Apps Illinois)

The project extends beyond just the intersection itself, with improvements running along portions of Plainfield-Naperville Road and 127th Street/Reagan Boulevard. (Illinois DOT Apps)

Drivers Should Expect Detours

For drivers who regularly use 127th Street, this project will mean some changes.

Once the temporary pavement is completed, eastbound traffic on 127th Street/Reagan Boulevard will be detoured to 119th Street while crews work on 127th Street/Reagan Boulevard and the east half of Plainfield-Naperville Road. (Plainfield, IL)

The Village is encouraging motorists to use caution around the construction zone and allow additional travel time.

With the work taking place in stages, traffic patterns will change as construction progresses.

Why Is This Project Needed?

The intersection has become increasingly important as Plainfield and the surrounding area continue to grow.

The project is designed to improve traffic flow while also making the intersection more organized and safer for drivers.

Adding left-turn lanes in all four directions should provide dedicated space for turning traffic instead of having vehicles wait in through lanes.

The new signal will also provide a controlled intersection where one currently does not exist.

A Project Nearly a Decade in the Making

While construction is just beginning, planning for the improvement has been underway for some time.

The project was bid in 2025, with utility relocation work taking place ahead of the roadway construction. Final engineering for the traffic signal and intersection improvements was also completed before construction began. (Plainfield, IL)

The project is being funded and coordinated through a partnership involving Plainfield, Bolingbrook and Will County.

How Much of the Road Will Be Improved?

This isn't simply a small intersection upgrade.

The official project plans cover approximately 0.6 miles of roadway, extending along Plainfield-Naperville Road both north and south of the intersection, as well as along 127th Street/Reagan Boulevard east and west of the intersection. (Illinois DOT Apps)

The plans also include resurfacing a portion of Plainfield-Naperville Road north of the main intersection improvements.

What This Means for Plainfield

For residents, the biggest benefit will come once the entire project is complete.

The combination of a new traffic signal, dedicated turn lanes, improved drainage and a redesigned intersection should make traveling through this area much easier.

There will undoubtedly be some temporary headaches while construction is underway—but the finished project is expected to provide a significant upgrade to this busy Plainfield corridor.

And with the first stage scheduled to wrap up this year, residents should begin seeing noticeable changes relatively soon.

FAQ

When does construction begin?

Construction is scheduled to begin August 31, 2026, starting with grading and temporary pavement work along the west side of Plainfield-Naperville Road. (Plainfield, IL)

When will the first stage be completed?

The first stage is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026. Remaining project work is expected to continue into 2027. (Patch)

Will there be a detour?

Yes. Once temporary pavement is in place, a detour will be posted. Eastbound 127th Street/Reagan Boulevard traffic is expected to be directed toward 119th Street during part of the construction. (Plainfield, IL)

What improvements are being made?

The project includes a new traffic signal, left-turn lanes on all four approaches, roadway reconstruction, improved drainage, curb and gutter, medians, lighting and other improvements. (Web Apps Illinois)

Who is involved in the project?

The project is a cooperative effort between the Village of Plainfield, Village of Bolingbrook and Will County Division of Transportation. (Plainfield, IL)

When will the entire project be finished?

The first stage is expected to be completed in 2026, with the remaining work scheduled for 2027. (Plainfield, IL)

Final Thoughts

The 127th Street and Plainfield-Naperville Road intersection is about to look very different.

Construction begins August 31, and while drivers will have to navigate detours and changing traffic patterns, the end result will bring a new traffic signal, dedicated turn lanes and a major redesign of the intersection.

The first stage will be completed this year, with the full project continuing into 2027.

For one of Plainfield's growing corridors, it's a major infrastructure upgrade that's been a long time coming.