Construction is underway on a solar energy site designed to power an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) storage facility along Interstate 64, marking a step toward the state’s ambitious renewable energy goals.

The $617,700 initiative is part of a pilot program to repurpose underutilized IDOT-owned land for clean energy generation. Officials say the effort is expected to reduce carbon emissions, generate long-term cost savings, and serve as a model for similar projects across Illinois.

Located at the Scott Dome Yard near the I-64 interchange with Illinois 158, the solar installation will feature 102 photovoltaic panels. Once operational, the array will supply electricity for a storage building that supports year-round maintenance operations—housing air compressors, heating systems, truck warming stations, and pumps used for transferring de-icing liquids during winter weather.

When complete, the system is projected to generate enough power to meet the building’s annual electricity demand. Any surplus energy will be fed back into the utility grid, offsetting costs further and contributing to the regional power supply.

Work to date includes electrical upgrades, pouring concrete pads, and installing the solar panels. Construction is expected to be completed by late summer. Alongside the renewable energy improvements, IDOT is also installing new restroom facilities and connecting the site to the municipal sanitary sewer system—enhancing amenities for workers.

The project supports Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act goal of relying entirely on renewable energy sources by 2050. It is being carried out in partnership with the University of Illinois’ EnergySense Resilience Center, which is helping identify other potential solar locations, such as weigh stations, highway rights of way, rest areas, offices, and additional maintenance facilities that do not disrupt traffic or core operations.

Officials say the pilot program is about more than energy—it’s also about rethinking how state-owned property can contribute to cleaner air, lower utility costs, and long-term energy independence.

“This is a practical, forward-looking investment in both sustainability and operational efficiency,” an IDOT spokesperson said. “By generating clean power right where it’s needed, we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels while demonstrating what’s possible with the resources we already have.”

The project is also expected to provide indirect benefits for IDOT staff who rely on the facility, improving working conditions and lowering exposure to pollutants from traditional energy sources. If successful, the initiative could be replicated across Illinois, helping transform idle parcels of land into productive, revenue-saving solar farms.

Originally reported by Chicago Construction News.