What looks like storm damage along West Sixth Street is actually the start of a long‑planned reconstruction project.
Trees and limbs stacked along the north side of the roadway were not brought down by severe weather. Instead, the Illinois Department of Transportation removed them in recent weeks to make room for a new bicycle path that will run along Sixth Street (Illinois Route 81) from Lexington Avenue to West Street.
The project has been in development for several years but faced delays, including the need to acquire right‑of‑way in the area designated for the path. IDOT officials have said the plan includes planting two new trees for every one removed.
The improvements extend beyond the bike path. Plans call for new retaining walls where needed and for reducing some of the steep hills and dips along the corridor. The Kewanee City Council has approved adding a graffiti‑resistant coating to the retaining walls.
Preliminary work is scheduled to continue through this year, with new pavement expected to be installed next year under the current timeline.
