Ogle County Highway Department

05/22/2026

German Church Rd Closure - Phase 4

On Tuesday, May 26th, the Phase 4 Closure will begin. During this 4th phase, German Church Rd will be closed to through traffic between Woodbine Rd and Black Walnut Rd. It is anticipated that this closure will last approximately 1 week while work on the culverts is completed.

A marked detour is posted redirecting through traffic to River Rd, Razorville Rd and Deer Path Rd for the duration of the project. The location of the Phase 4 Closure and the detour route can be seen on the linked map. It is encouraged that traffic utilize the marked detour.

German Church Culverts - Phase 4

05/19/2026

It has come to the attention of the Ogle County Highway Department that there are rumors spreading that the current work on German Church Rd is related to AI data centers or other development along German Church Rd. The timing of our road work projects in the area is simply coincidence. The section of German Church Rd between the City of Byron and the nuclear power plant has not been paved for over 20 years. The resurfacing project has been in the works since 2020 awaiting funding.

In order to improve the safety of the roadway the County opted to include a paved shoulder as part of the paving project. During design, it was noted that there was not sufficient room to fit the paved shoulder at all locations. For this reason we are currently working on 21 culverts within the limits of the upcoming paving project.

We do want to thank the residents of Ogle County for their patience while the improvements are being constructed. We also want to apologize to the residents along German Church Rd for the headaches the moving road closures have caused.

05/11/2026

German Church Rd Closure - Phase 3

On Monday, May 11th, the Phase 3 Closure will begin. During this 3rd phase, German Church Rd will be closed to through traffic between Ash Rd and the curve in German Church Rd approximately 0.6 miles east of Ash Rd. This phase of closures will be broken into 3 different segments in order to allow access for local traffic. Please see the map below for details. The first closure is the western section in yellow, and the closures will move east. It is anticipated that Phase 3 will take approximately 1 to 2 weeks to complete.

A marked detour is posted redirecting through traffic to River Rd, Razorville Rd and Deer Path Rd for the duration of the project. The location of the Phase 3 Closures and the detour route can be seen on the linked map. During Phase 3, the nuclear power plant will only be accessible from the south.

German Church Culverts - Phase 3

04/30/2026

Byron Township will continue paving operations on Barker Rd on Friday, May 1st. The construction crew will begin Friday's work at the intersection of Barker Rd and Short Rd around 7:00am. This activity will cause significant delays at the intersection and traffic will be unable to make a turn at this intersection. It is advised to avoid this intersection from 7:00am to 8:30am. Paving on Barker Rd will continue throughout the remainder of the day under flaggers once the intersection is complete.

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

04/27/2026

German Church Rd is currently open to through traffic.

Due to the recent wet weather, the Phase 2 closure of German Church Rd has been delayed to Wednesday, April 29th.

04/24/2026

German Church Rd Closure - Phase 2

Weather permitting, the Phase 1 closure of German Church Rd will be removed on Monday, April 27th.

On Wednesday, April 29th, the Phase 2 Closure will begin. During this 2nd phase, German Church Rd will be closed to through traffic between the entrance to the Nuclear Power Plant and Ash Rd. It is anticipated that Phase 2 will take approximately 8 days to complete.

A marked detour is posted redirecting through traffic to River Rd, Razorville Rd and Deer Path Rd for the duration of the project. The location of the Phase 2 Closure and the detour route can be seen on the linked map. During Phase 2, the nuclear power plant will only be accessible from the south.

German Church Culverts - Phase 2

04/16/2026

German Church Rd Closure

Beginning Monday, April 20th, German Church Rd will be closed to through traffic between Deer Path Rd and the entrance to the nuclear power plant. This is the first phase of a number of closures that will take place over the next couple months. There will be a marked detour that will direct traffic around the closure. The Phase 1 Closure and Culvert Locations can be seen on the linked Google Map along with the detour route. During Phase 1, the nuclear power plant will be accessible from the north.

German Church Culverts 2026

03/24/2026

UPDATE - ALL SEASONAL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED
Thank you to all those who applied. Occasionally positions become available mid-season. If you would like to have your name on a waiting list for potential openings during the summer of 2026, please complete the Job Application form and return it to our office. We will hold on to it over the next few months. The job description is below along with our contact information for reference.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

ROADSIDE MOWER - Seasonal Employment for the Summer months (Late-May/June/July/August). Interested candidates must be able to work outside in all summer-like weather conditions and should enjoy working with others in a crew format. Work includes mowing roadsides with heavy equipment, performing maintenance and repairs on the mowing equipment, assisting full-time employees with traffic control operations.

Position Requirements:
• Must be 18 years of age by the agreed hire date.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Be able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Have ability to maintain a high level of visual attention.
• Must also be able to reach, squat, kneel, bend, carry, push, pull and grip objects intermittently during the course of work.
• Have ability to work in a standing or seated position for extended periods of time.

Terms of Employment:
• These are hourly, seasonal positions that begin as soon as school is dismissed for the Summer and ends prior to school resuming in the Fall.
• Hours are from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday thru Thursday. Minimal overtime may be required.
• With these positions being seasonal, no full-time benefits are available.
• Starting wage $15.00 per hour.

If you are interested in seasonal employment for 2026, please complete the Job Application form and return it to our office. Our contact information is below.

Ogle County Highway Department
1989 South IL Route 2
Oregon, IL 61061
Phone: (815) 732-2851
Fax: (815) 732-9094
Email: [email protected]

Application form can be found on our website:
https://www.oglecountyil.gov/business/employment/highway_department.php

03/16/2026

Visibility is poor due to blowing snow. Beneath the accumulated snow there is a layer of ice in many areas. It is recommended you stay off the roadways until conditions improve.

03/13/2026

The tree has been cleared and Daysville Road is now open to traffic.