Hollow Avenue project reaches substantial completion in Jerseyville

Jerseyville says Phase 2 of the Hollow Avenue reconstruction is substantially complete, marking the latest milestone in a multi-phase rebuild of one of the city's key traffic corridors.

Public Works Director Bob Manns said the roadway is already usable, even though a few finish items remain. Crews still need to paint some center lines and crosswalks, and finish final grading and seeding.

The work replaced an older oil-and-chip road with 32-foot-wide concrete pavement, curbs and gutters, storm sewer and drainage improvements, and an ADA-compliant sidewalk extension. Manns said the project covers about 2,600 feet of Hollow Avenue from North Hickory Street to west of Waggoner Avenue.

How the project got here

The current phase follows a Phase 1 roadway upgrade that Jerseyville completed in 2024. Planning for the second phase was already part of the city's longer-term capital improvement work by 2025.

That year, The Telegraph reported on council action tied to the project, including approval of the Bartlett & West engineering contract and the construction bid for Baxmeyer Construction. Earlier 2025 coverage also showed the city working through funding for the road project as part of its broader infrastructure plan.

Before construction began in February 2026, utility relocations had to be completed. That work cleared the way for the rebuild to move into its active construction phase.

What changed on Hollow Avenue

Manns said the road had been narrow for the traffic it carried and had drainage and visibility problems. The rebuild widened the corridor and added concrete pavement designed to better handle the volume of vehicles using it.

He said Hollow Avenue carries significant commuter and school bus traffic, which made safety a major concern. The combination of new curbs, gutters, drainage work and a more substantial road surface was intended to improve conditions for drivers and pedestrians alike.

The addition of sidewalks is also a notable change. Manns said the area had no sidewalks before the project, making the new pedestrian access a major improvement for residents walking along the corridor.

Funding and next steps

Manns said the project cost is about $2.5 million. The article also says Jerseyville received $1.6 million in federal grant funding for Phase 2.

The remaining work is limited to finish items, and the city has not indicated any major disruptions should remain once striping and seeding are done. At that point, the project should move from substantial completion to final closeout.

The Hollow Avenue rebuild fits into Jerseyville's broader approach to capital improvements and reflects the city's phased effort to upgrade local roads, drainage and pedestrian access over time.