The $3,250,000 construction additions that have plagued parts of West Lincoln Highway since early April should be drawing to a close.

Battling rain, wind and snow, project officials expect the highway widening to culminate in early December, when the old two-lane road expands to become four lanes.

Project Engineer Duke Taylor explained that while actual groundbreaking began April 10, much of the in-depth renovation could not begin until hurdles presented by utility companies were sidestepped.

“Commonwealth Edison didn’t have the poles out until after Memorial Day,” Taylor said.

The four-lane road also will provide a center turning lane running east and west with additional turning lanes at Annie Glidden Road and Stadium Drive.

Funding for the expansion was provided by motor fuel tax revenues that are collected from all gasoline purchases. The Illinois Department of Transportation, consistent with a five-year program of planning and implementation, pitted contractors against one another in a competitive bidding process.

Rex Heacock, state assistant district engineer, said all prequalified area contractors delivered sealed bids to the state, which then made a determination according to lowest price.

“Prequalified contractors must submit yearly financial and equipment statements to keep their status on our lists,” Heacock said.