Westbound I-70 will undergo construction starting next month

Danny Connolly
·2 min read

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Westbound Interstate 70 will soon be under construction starting in April.

Workers will reconstruct the area from just east of the I-57/70 interchange to just east of the Cumberland/Effingham County line, east of Montrose. One lane each way will be open while crews work behind barriers.

This year, construction crews will work on the westbound lanes. Last year, workers rebuilt the eastbound lanes.

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“We are excited to get one step closer to delivering this vital project to an important part of the state,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said. “These improvements will help the flow of goods and services throughout the area and provide a safer road for everyone who relies on I-70.”

The construction will start April 9, the day after the national eclipse. Southern Illinois is in the path of totality and state leaders are expecting large crowds to travel through the area.

New safety elements will be implemented in the construction zone, including extra dynamic message signs and temporary rumble strips. Illinois State Police also will have more patrols in the area.

Ahead of the start of construction, IDOT workers have started with intermittent shoulder and lane closures to install traffic safety devices.

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Officials still ask drivers to be cautious when driving in construction zones.

“Partnering with local officials, we have added several safety measures this year that should drive down the number of crashes in the work zone, but we need your help and cooperation,” Osman said. “Please stay alert for upcoming construction and prepared to slow down. Buckle up and put down the phone. Follow the signs and instructions. Expect conditions to change at any moment. Working together, we look forward to bringing this project to a safe, successful conclusion.”

The project is expected to be completed in the fall.

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