The Illinois Department of Transportation announced a full closure of west-and southbound lanes of Interstate 55/70 between Illinois 159 and Illinois 157 for bridge repairs beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday.
The east- and northbound lanes of the same stretch of interstate reopened June 30 after nearly three weeks of similar work.
A press release from IDOT Tuesday said drivers can anticipate the closure to last roughly 17 days, meaning the interstate won’t reopen before the morning of July 28.
On average, 46,000 vehicles traveled that stretch of road daily, according to IDOT’s 2023 statistics.
In the meantime, the release said drivers should use the following detours.
- If going southbound/westbound on I-55/70, you should take I-270 westbound to I-255 southbound to reconnect with I-55/70 southbound/westbound.
- If you’re between Illinois 159 and I-270/I-70 westbound and need to go south/westbound on I-55/70, you should go north to access the detour and follow it back to I-55/70.
- Access to Illinois 162 and U.S. 40 will remain open.
- Drivers will be still able to exit I-55 at Illinois 157 and Illinois 159.
“Motorists should allow extra travel time for trips, especially during the first few days of the closure, and pay attention to additional signage on the marked detour route,” the release said.
Editor's note: This story was originally published by the Belleville News-Democrat. Bruce Darnell is a reporter for the BND, a news partner of St. Louis Public Radio.
